Moonsighting (11)

So far we have discussed what is "seeing" the moon (i.e. with your eye / optical aid / calculations), and the two most popular opinions as to where the moon must be seen (i.e. sharing the night and sharing the horizon). This blog will briefly cover the two less common opinions and ones that I think do not have any supporters nowadays! 

Opinion 3 about where the moon must be seen: 

If it is seen in one location, it is considered the same for all locations west of that location. I have not seen a rationale for this point of view but believe it was held by the late Ayatullah Sabzwari and Gulpaygani⁹. The problem with this position, is that astronomical calculations show that being further westwards does not affect sightability at all latitutdes.

Opinion 4 about where the moon must be seen: 

Saudi Arabia / Makkah - i.e. it must be seen / possible to be seen in Makkah for it to count around the world (this is not the view of any major Shi'i scholar as far as I'm aware but major Sunni schools do use this)

 
In the next blog, we will look at the final section – unity!