Unauthorized Announcements of Ramadan in Nigeria.


BISMILLAH IR-RAHMAN IR-RAHIM

 Unauthorized Announcements of Ramadan in Nigeria.

Introduction

Unity in the Muslim Ummah, particularly in the observance of Ramadan, is a fundamental principle in Islam. Ramadan, as a universally observed act of worship, requires uniformity in its commencement and conclusion. Any declaration made outside the recognized and established authority risks division and confusion, which the Shari‘ah strictly seeks to prevent.

1. Evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah
Qur’an:

"فَصُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ فَإِنْ غُمَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ شَهْرَ شَعْبَانَ ثَلَاثِينَ" 
“Fast when you see the new moon, and break your fast when you see it. And if it is hidden, complete Sha‘ban as thirty days.”
Hadith:
Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته، فإن غُم عليكم فأكملوا عدة شعبان ثلاثين" [Bukhari 1900, Muslim 1082]
“Start fasting when you see the moon and break your fast when you see it. If it is hidden, then complete Sha‘ban as thirty days.”
These texts establish that determining the start of Ramadan requires clear observation by trustworthy and knowledgeable witnesses whose testimony guides the community.

2. Authority and Jurisprudential Consensus (Ijma‘)
Classical jurists unanimously emphasized that the declaration of public acts of worship is the responsibility of recognized and trusted authorities.
Imam al-Shafi‘i said:
"يجب على الناس اتباع العلماء أو السلطة المعروفة بالعلم والعدالة في إعلان الهلال، ولا يجوز للإنسان أن يبتدع في ذلك بمفرده" [Al-Umm]
“People must follow scholars or authorities recognized for their knowledge and trustworthiness in announcing the crescent; no individual may act independently.”
Al-Mawardi stated:
"لا بد من الحفاظ على وحدة الأمة ونظامها؛ ومن واجب الحاكم أو العلماء المعيَّنين منه إعلان بداية الشهور العبادية مثل رمضان، ويجب على الناس اتباع إعلانهم" [Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyyah]
“Religious unity and order must be preserved; hence, the ruler or his appointed scholars are to announce the commencement of worship months, and the people must follow their declaration.”
In Nigeria, the recognized authority for announcing the start and end of Ramadan is the Sultan of Sokoto, as President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs.

3. Legal Analysis
Announcements by individuals or private groups outside this authority are invalid (batil).
Following such announcements can lead to confusion in fasting, prayers, and other religious duties, contravening the Sunnah of following trustworthy authority.
Imam Nawawi in Al-Majmu‘ stated:
"يجب اتباع العلماء الثقات في الأمور الشرعية العامة، ومن يتصرف خارج هذه السلطة في العبادات يسبب الفتن والاختلاف"
“One must follow trustworthy scholars in matters of public obligations. Anyone who acts outside this authority in worship causes confusion and division.”
Principles of Usul al-Fiqh state:
"يتبع الجماعة الإمام أو السلطة المعتمدة في الأمور الشرعية العامة"
“The community follows the imam or the recognized authority in public acts of worship.”
Ignoring this principle undermines communal unity and adherence to Shari‘ah.

4. Practical Consequences
Muslims may start fasting on different days, causing division.
Differences may arise in Eid celebrations and related obligations.
It represents deviation from the Prophetic model of following recognized scholars and authorities.

5. Scholarly Ruling (Hukm)
Announcements of Ramadan by individuals or private groups without recognized authority are invalid.
Muslims in Nigeria must follow the Sultan of Sokoto, President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, to maintain unity and proper observance of Ramadan.
Deviating from this guidance constitutes disobedience and risks division within the Ummah.

Therefore,

The announcement by the South West League of Imams to declare February 18, 2026 as the first day of Ramadan is not valid in Shari‘ah, as it was made outside the recognized national Islamic authority. All Muslims must adhere to the official declaration by the Sultan of Sokoto, preserving unity and following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and the rulings of classical scholars.

References
Quran – Al-Baqarah 2:185
Sahih Bukhari – Book of Fasting, Hadith 1900
Sahih Muslim – Book of Fasting, Hadith 1082
Imam al-Shafi‘i, Al-Umm
Al-Mawardi, Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyyah
Imam Nawawi, Al-Majmu‘
Principles of Usul al-Fiqh and legal maxims (القواعد الفقهية)

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