Isbat Session, Determination of Eid Day, and the History of the Differences

Eid al-Fitr is a day of victory eagerly awaited by Muslims with great joy every year. The method of determining the start of Ramadan and Shawwal, which often leads to differences, does not diminish the festive spirit of Eid al-Fitr among the Indonesian community.

Every year, Muslims in Indonesia prepare to welcome the Eid al-Fitr holiday with great joy. It is no surprise that in the third week of Ramadan, news regarding the determination of 1 Syawal becomes a hot topic of discussion. This is because there may be differences in the date of the Eid celebration in Indonesia.

This phenomenon is not new. Kompas records show that from 2000 to 2024, there have been at least 11 different Eid al-Fitr days in Indonesia.

The debate between the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag), Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), and Muhammadiyah often becomes the focus of this event.

The root of this difference lies in two distinct methods. The methods commonly used to determine the day of Eid are generally two, namely the calculation method (hisab) or the observation method (rukyat).

In Indonesia, Muhammadiyah is a religious organization that uses the hisab method to determine the start of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

In brief, hisab is a method that emphasizes astronomical calculations to determine whether the crescent moon, or the sign of the beginning of a new month, has appeared or not.

So, to determine the crescent moon using this method, the crescent moon does not need to be seen with the eye or directly.

Along with technological advancements, this method has utilized the assistance of computers and software, thereby increasing the accuracy of crescent moon calculations.

One of the variables observed in the calculation process is the determination of when the ijtimak occurs, or when the Sun, Moon, and Earth experience a geocentric conjunction or are aligned in the same plane.

Meanwhile, the rukyat method, which literally means observing, emphasizes the determination of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr through a more empirical approach.

This method can be considered more traditional, as it is carried out by observing the Moon, either with the naked eye or with the aid of instruments such as telescopes.

In this method, decision making is taken when the new moon is actually visible or real. In Indonesia, this method is generally used by religious organizations such as NU.

The use of the rukyatul hilal method by NU is based on the decisions of the results of the 1983 NU Ulama National Conference in Situbondo and the 1987 NU Ulama National Conference in Cilacap as well as the 27th NU Congress in 1983 in Situbondo, the 30th NU Congress in 1999 in Kediri, and the 34th NU Congress in 2021 in Bandar Lampung.

Although using different methods, both are based on authentic hadith. In the hadith narrated by HR Bukhari, the Messenger of Allah said to order fasting when the crescent or new moon is visible and stop when the new crescent is visible.

If the observation is disturbed by the weather, Muslims are ordered to complete the fast to 30 days. Therefore, determining the day of Eid al-Fitr, for example, by the rukyat method or hisab both have strong legitimacy.

To unify views, the Ministry of Religious Affairs refers to the criteria of the Minister of Religious Affairs of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore (MABIMS), which requires a minimum Moon altitude of 3 degrees and a minimum elongation distance (Sun-Moon) of 6.4 degrees. However, these criteria do not always succeed in preventing differences.

Differences in determining 1 Syawal have occurred many times in the last three decades. In 1992, the government and NU celebrated Eid al-Fitr on April 4, while Muhammadiyah celebrated it the day before. This difference also occurred in 1993, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2007, and 2011.

The last time there was a difference in the date of Eid occurred in 2023. This year, Muhammadiyah set Eid on April 21, while the government decided on April 22 after the crescent moon was no longer visible.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that the height of the Moon at that time was only 2 degrees, below the MABIMS threshold. However, Muhammadiyah argued that according to calculations, the Moon had already "manifested".

This year, the government predicts that Eid will be celebrated simultaneously on March 31. However, differences in Eid days could occur when the government holds an Isbat session on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Then, is there a solution to ensure there will be no differences in the future? As long as the hisab and rukyat methods are still used together, the differences in Eid al-Fitr could happen again.

However, steps such as socialization to the community about the causes of differences, early coordination between the Ministry of Religion and religious organizations, and the use of technology to increase the accuracy of rukyat can minimize the impact.

Ultimately, these differences teach us to appreciate diversity in worship. As the hadith narrated by HR Al Baihaqi says, differences can actually be seen as a blessing.

This is also supported by the proven social cohesion that can be maintained in Indonesia, even though there have been several differences in Eid days.

In the end, amidst the differences, the warmth of Lebaran is still the dominant force that unites the people. (LITBANG KOMPAS)