Entering the Ramadan worship is usually always marked by khilafiyah or differences of opinion or disputes regarding fiqh, including when entering Ramadan 1446 Hijriah.
The differences have occurred in determining 1 Ramadan or the first day of fasting. Some set it on February 28, March 1, and even on March 2, 2025.
The Indonesian government has set 1 Ramadan 1446 Hijriah on March 1, 2025 after going through an isbat session at the Ministry of Religion Office in Jakarta, Friday (28/2/2025). Minister of Religion, Nasaruddin Umar, explained that the position of the crescent moon had met the requirements as agreed by the ministers of religion of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS).
Based on the agreement of the ministers of the four countries, the imkanur rukyat is considered to meet the requirements if the position of the crescent reaches a height of 3 degrees with an elongation angle of 6.4 degrees. Imkanur rukyat is a method of determining the beginning of the Hijri month that takes into account the possibility of seeing the crescent moon and is part of the true hisab method. And the crescent moon is most clearly visible in the Aceh region so there is no doubt about setting March 1, 2025 as the first day of fasting.
Meanwhile, Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore set 1 Ramadan 1446 H on Sunday (2/3/2025) because the crescent moon was not visible the day before.
There is no need for a long debate regarding this difference. The debate must be placed at the scientific level and among astronomers according to accountable knowledge. So, this is not a blind debate that has the potential to damage Islamic brotherhood or brotherhood among Muslims.
Differences that lead to debate also commonly occur regarding the number of rakaat of tarawih salawa prayers. This is a classic khilafiyah that has the potential to damage harmony among Muslims, if we are not wise in responding to it.
We do not enter into a discussion regarding fiqh because that has been conveyed by experts. However, the emphasis in this case is on the issue of Islamic brotherhood that needs to be maintained amidst the various differences that exist regarding anything, including the implementation of worship.
It must be realized together that Ramadan is a month full of blessings that Muslims around the world are waiting for. The momentum of Ramadan should be an opportunity to strengthen brotherhood, not the opposite. Especially for Muslims in Indonesia who have just finished going through the political event of regional head elections which caused friction.
The brotherhood that has been scratched due to differences in views and political choices, now is the time to be re-established through the momentum of Ramadan. Hatred and an atmosphere of hostility should be destroyed by being doused in the sanctity of Ramadan.
In Islam, differences are seen as blessings that must be interpreted as gifts to complement each other, improve, and build relationships, not to divide. From these differences we can see the spaces for articulation and get other choices that allow people to get alternatives. The measure of glory in the sight of Allah is piety, not differences in sects or ethnicities.
It is time for us to respect differences, to stay away from excessive fanaticism towards certain sects, individuals, or groups. Good assumptions must always be built so as not to hurt the feelings of fellow Muslims. Differences of opinion should not be responded to with criticism, but must be respected. Other people's mistakes must also be forgiven so that brotherhood always occurs amid the beauty of differences.[]
