A system of legal pluralism means multiple properly reasoned opinions with different outcomes can each be equally valid. Islamic law is amazing that way. Unity is not uniformity.

#Eid Mubarak to those celebrating Saturday & on Sunday! God bless an ummah that cherishes pluralism.

Myth: Celebrating Eid on different days is a sign of disunity.

Reality: Pluralism is very Muslim! Human beings cannot have perfect reasoning for Divine law so we accept different rulings on matters of Islamic law as long as each of those rulings have sound methods of reasoning.

Like many, I grew up in a country where legal pluralism does not exist. You cannot go forum shopping in the U.S. There is one case, one ruling, and only a higher court can reverse a ruling.

The OG systems of Islamic law were not designed that way. *Sound* opinions could differ.

When colonizers invaded Muslim lands, they pushed for a 'modern' system of Islamic law & erased pluralism. We see one legal code that is actually fragments from different schools of Islamic law being thrown together, often to horrific effect. (I've nicknamed it #Frankensharia.)

Just as Hanafis can pray asr later than other Sunnis & both prayer times can be equally valid with neither being more correct than the other, different communities can celebrate Eid on different days AND IT'S OK. If the reasoning is sound - calculation or naked eye - respect it.

At the end of the day, we believe in certain core beliefs but that there are multiple paths to Allah. The only way to worship is not solely in the mosque or in the books or in the streets or in the community or in the home. Multiple ways being equally valid is a beautiful thing.

With that said, much love to the Muslims from various African nations who have sent news of the new moon!

If you're out here unquestioningly trusting KSA scholars for the sighting but questioning the credentials of Black/African Muslim scholars, we have a different problem.

Given we have a global pandemic, so many Muslims are praying Eid day prayers in their own homes & not congregating in large groups. What a blessing to have the flexibility of changing the day of your prayers without nearly as much logistical trouble this year. May God accept.

As an ummah, we have much to pray for after fasting the month of Ramadan this year: healing from a deadly plague, relief from financial hardships, freedom from oppression on every continent. Time spent interrogating African Muslims and undermining a faith-full act is not worship.

Important points about moonlighting from Sr. Jenn. She notes: "Follow the opinion of the community you pray with... the method and the ruling are the responsibility of the `ulu al-`amr, the people in authority, not you or me" & "We trust ONE witness only to establish a sighting."

Another important point from Omar Usman: "Last year, Saudi/UAE/Yemen sighted the moon even though it was 'scientifically impossible.' Despite that, the trustworthy sighting was taken and acted upon." https://www.facebook.com/23924961/posts/10110067540669830/

This thread on Twitter here by @ibnabeeomar: https://twitter.com/ibnabeeomar/status/1264049173856505856?s=19