BETWEEN RU’YAH AND TECHNOLOGY: OPERATIONALISING A FIQH–ASTRONOMY FRAMEWORK FOR SHARIAH-COMPLIANT DIGITAL HILAL VERIFICATION
Authors
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Khairussaadah Wahid
Centre of Foundation Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Selangor, Malaysia
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Mohd Saiful Anwar Mohd Nawawi
Department of Fiqh Usul and Applied Sciences, Academy of Islamic Studies, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Nazhatulshima Ahmad
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Riza Afrian Mustaqim
Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33102/jfatwa.vol31no3.879Keywords:
Hilal Observation, Digital imaging, Ru’yah al-hilal, Islamic astronomy, Shariah governance.Abstract
The increasing application of digital imaging technologies, particularly DSLR and CCD systems, has transformed contemporary hilal observation, especially under challenging conditions such as haze, humidity, urban light pollution and limited horizon visibility. While Malaysian hilal observation guidelines remain rooted in the established principle of direct sighting (ru’yah ‘ainiyyah), they have been enhanced through updated technical procedures supporting the regulated use of imaging-based confirmation. Using a qualitative interpretive approach, this study draws primarily on semi-structured interviews with 25 experts in Islamic astronomy and digital imaging, supported by classical and contemporary fiqh sources, Malaysian regulatory documents, and astronomical visibility research. The findings indicate that the current framework preserves the essential Shariah foundations of hilal verification, including witness integrity, authorised observation times and sites, and adherence to visibility criteria. The updated guidelines further strengthen the operational governance of digital imaging through clearer direction on image acquisition, permissible enhancement, metadata preservation, verification procedures and evidentiary standardisation. This paper presents an integrated fiqh–astronomy framework that brings together witness qualifications, hilal visibility parameters, authorised observation sites and controlled imaging processes. It argues that digital imaging, when confined to visible-spectrum capture, authorised observation periods, single-frame recording and limited non-manipulative enhancement, may function as valid corroborative evidence (al-qarinah al-mu‘tabarah) without displacing ru’yah as the operative legal foundation of hilal verification.
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