Muhammadiyah Sets the Start of Ramadan on March 1, 2025, Here’s the Calculation

Kapanlagi.com - The moment of establishing the beginning of Ramadan is always a hopeful highlight for Muslims in Indonesia, especially due to the various methods in determining the start of the Hijri month. This time, Muhammadiyah, one of the largest Islamic organizations in the country, has announced that Ramadan 1446 Hijri will start on Saturday, March 1, 2025. This decision was made based on the method of hisab hakiki wujudul hilal, which serves as a guideline for the Majelis Tarjih and Tajdid Muhammadiyah.

Unlike the rukyat method which relies on direct observation of the hilal, Muhammadiyah applies an astronomical approach to ensure that the hilal is visible above the horizon at sunset. According to the calculations made, the ijtimak or conjunction of the moon occurs on Friday, February 28, 2025, precisely at 07:46:49 WIB. At sunset, the moon's altitude reaches +4 11' 8" in Yogyakarta.

With this method, Muhammadiyah ensures that 1 Ramadan 1446 H falls on March 1, 2025. Not only that, they have also determined that 1 Syawal 1446 H, which marks the Idulfitri holiday, will fall on Monday, March 31, 2025. So, bhow is this calculation method carried out and is there a possibility of difference with the government? See the explanation below, summarized by Kapanlagi.com, Monday (2/17).

1. Determination of 1 Ramadan by Muhammadiyah

The Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah has officially determined the beginning of Ramadan in a press conference held in Yogyakarta on Monday, February 6, 2025. The Secretary of PP Muhammadiyah, Muhammad Sayuti, stated that this determination is based on the true calculation of the visibility of the new moon, which has been a reference for many years.

He informed that the conjunction will occur on Friday, February 28, 2025, at exactly 07:46:49 WIB, and at sunset, the new moon will be visible on the horizon across Indonesia. Thus, the Muhammadiyah community is assured to begin fasting on Saturday, March 1, 2025, which is 1 Ramadan 1446 H.

Sayuti emphasized that this decision is in line with the announcement that has been issued and is expected to serve as a guideline for all Muhammadiyah members in observing the fasting month.

2. Criteria for Determining 1 Ramadan Falls on March 1

Muhammadiyah applies the method of hisab hakiki wujudul hilal in determining the beginning of the hijri month, which differs from the rukyat approach used by the government and Nahdlatul Ulama.

This advanced method ensures that when the hilal is visible on the horizon, the new month begins, without the need for physical observation. With three main criteria—occurrence of ijtimak, ijtimak before sunset, and the hilal being above the horizon at sunset—Muhammadiyah has determined that Ramadan 1446 H begins on March 1, 2025.

On February 28, at sunset, the hilal has been observed, providing certainty in the determination of the hijri calendar and allowing Muslims to know the beginning of the month earlier.

"At sunset, Friday, February 28, 2025, in the Indonesian region, the moon is above the horizon (the hilal has appeared). In all regions of Indonesia, the date of 1 Ramadan 1445 H falls on Saturday, March 1, 2025," he added, referring to suaramuhammadiyah.id.

3. Muhammadiyah's Calculation to Determine 1 Ramadan

In the approach of hisab hakiki wujudul hilal adopted by Muhammadiyah, astronomical calculations become the main pillar for determining the beginning of the month.

On February 28, 2025, the moment of conjunction will occur precisely at 07:46:49 WIB, with the position of the moon in Yogyakarta reaching a height of +4° 11' 8" at sunset, indicating that the hilal has met the requirements to mark the arrival of the new month.

Unlike the imkan rukyat method used by the government, which requires a minimum height of the hilal of 3 degrees and an elongation of 6.4 degrees to be visible, Muhammadiyah chooses not to rely on visibility that is susceptible to weather and other external factors.

With the wujudul hilal method, Muhammadiyah is able to establish the beginning of the hijri month more consistently and accurately, without the doubts that often arise in each lunar cycle.

4. Is There a Difference with the Government This Year?

The decision of Muhammadiyah regarding the beginning of Ramadan often draws attention due to the differing methods used compared to the government. However, this year there seems to be hope for alignment, where the government has the opportunity to set the beginning of Ramadan on the same date, namely Saturday, March 1, 2025, thanks to the sufficiently high position of the hilal.

In the isbat session that will be held towards the end of February 2025, the government will rely on the imkan rukyat method. If the hilal is visible and meets the criteria, this agreement could be realized.

However, if the rukyat results differ, we may witness a difference in the start of fasting between Muhammadiyah and the government. In this situation, the public is urged to respect the differences in determining the beginning of the hijri month.

5. Determination of Idulfitri 1 Syawal 2025 by Muhammadiyah

Muhammadiyah has determined that the Eid al-Fitr or 1 Syawal 1446 H will fall on Monday, March 31, 2025, coinciding with the announcement of the beginning of Ramadan. This decision was made based on careful calculations that indicate that on Saturday, March 29, 2025, the ijtimak occurs at 17:59:51 WIB, but the hilal is still below the horizon.

Thus, the month of Ramadan will be completed to 30 days. Interestingly, this determination shows that it is highly likely there will be no difference in the date of the Eid al-Fitr celebration between Muhammadiyah and the government, as the imkan rukyat method used by the government could also yield the same date.

6. People Also Ask

1. Why does Muhammadiyah set Ramadan 1 earlier than the government?

Muhammadiyah uses the method of hisab hakiki wujudul hilal, while the government employs imkan rukyat which depends on direct observation.

2. Will Muhammadiyah and the government differ in determining Idulfitri this year?

It is highly likely that they will not, as the position of the hilal approaching 1 Syawal 1446 H makes both methods potentially yield the same date.

3. Is Muhammadiyah's hisab method more accurate than rukyat?

The hisab method provides certainty earlier, while rukyat depends on the visibility of the hilal which can be affected by weather factors.

(kpl/rmt)