Review of Crescent Visibility: The Role of Islamic Astronomy in Determining the Hijri Calendar

Abstract

The visibility of the lunar crescent (hilal) is a fundamental aspect in determining the beginning of months in the Hijri calendar. Differences in determining the beginning of lunar months among Muslim communities often arise due to variations in criteria and methods used to observe the crescent moon. This study aims to re-examine the concept of lunar crescent visibility from the perspective of Islamic astronomy and analyze its role in determining the Hijri calendar. This research uses a qualitative approach with a literature review method by examining classical Islamic astronomy texts and contemporary astronomical studies related to crescent visibility. The results show that Islamic astronomy provides a strong scientific foundation in predicting the possibility of hilal visibility through astronomical calculations. However, observational verification remains important in confirming these predictions. The re-examination of hilal visibility criteria indicates that the integration between traditional Islamic scholarship and modern astronomy can contribute to the development of more accurate and scientifically based Hijri calendar determination. This research contributes to the theoretical development of Islamic astronomy and provides insights for improving the methodology of lunar month determination in Muslim societies.