Crescent Sighting in Tameer: An Extension of the Past into the Witnessed Present
By: Haitham bin Mohammed Al-Barghash
Writer and author in history, philosophy, and biography; lawyer and legal consultant; founder of a law firm.
Anyone who observes our homeland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will find it rich in cultural and historical continuity. Every geographic location within its vast expanse is endowed with human, civilizational, and cultural resources. Since people draw from these deep-rooted sources, they are shaped by them, marked by their influence, and carry them as part of their identity. These elements, in turn, compose a unique mosaic of national and cultural beauty—an image of rare harmony.
Among the manifestations of this continuity is the careful and precise organization of crescent sighting by the Saudi state since its founding. This began in the era of King Abdulaziz—may God have mercy on him—who in the year 1346 AH directed the printing of the first official calendar, known as the Umm Al-Qura calendar. Today, the Supreme Court oversees this important practice, and more than ten accredited observatories have been established. The Kingdom’s announcement regarding the crescent sighting has become a moment awaited across the Islamic world, due to its direct impact on fasting, Hajj, and the two Eids, and because of the Kingdom’s prominent global status, especially among Muslims.
Having personally witnessed the keen interest in crescent sighting in the town of Tameer, and having visited the Tameer Observatory, I encountered a wide spectrum of attendees—scholars, intellectuals, satellite television crews, Muslims from different countries and regions, and enthusiasts in general. This experience inspired me to write about one of the prominent figures of our beloved town: my dear cousin, Mutab bin Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Barghash. I saw in him a living embodiment of historical continuity and cultural conduct, deeply rooted in this cherished region of Sudair, so close to my heart.
This national attention, in my view, has profound effects on the Kingdom and the broader Islamic and Arab world, as it directly influences the observance of fasting, the two Eids, and the Hajj—rituals through which God Almighty has honored our country and our beloved homeland.
Mutab bin Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman bin Uthman Al-Barghash descends from Al-Rayayisa, the descendants of Rayyis bin Zakher, a branch of Al-Wahba from Bani Tamim.
Hamad Al-Jasser once said:
“Al-Rayayisa (also known as Al-Rayyis) comprises many sub-clans, detailed by Ibn Isa in his historical accounts.”
And Al-Rayayisa (Al-Rayyis) are from Al-Wahba, of Bani Tamim.
Judge Hamad Al-Haqeel added:
“The Al-Rayyis of Tameer and Unaizah, the Al-Dhulaan of Al-Rass—all are from Al-Rayyis of Al-Rayayisa. Likewise, the Al-Barghash family of Tameer descends from Rayyis, of Al-Rayayisa lineage.”
Mutab comes from a branch renowned for their keen eyesight and crescent sighting. Among his relatives are observers and astronomical experts such as Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Barghash, Essam bin Uthman Al-Barghash, and Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Barghash.
This environment—both scientific and practical—has contributed to training more individuals at the observatory and to deepening the understanding of judicial and scholarly perspectives regarding the conditions for fulfilling the purpose of sighting.
Mutab was born into the Al-Barghash family from the Sudair region, specifically the town of Tameer, located about 140 kilometers north of Riyadh. The family belongs to the Al-Wahba branch of Bani Tamim and descends from Rayyis bin Zakher.
The Al-Wahba clan, a branch of Bani Tamim, has produced scholars, judges, princes, and poets. Many families from this lineage are now found across Najd, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and in several neighboring countries.
The Al-Barghash family has long been devoted to religious sciences and has produced scholars and literary figures. Sheikh Mohammed bin Uthman Al-Qadi, in his listing of the most prominent families of Al-Wahba from Bani Tamim, wrote:
“(Al-Barghash in Tameer, among whom are scholars and literati.)”
This scholarly reputation is further affirmed by Sheikh Bakr Abu Zaid—may God have mercy on him—who wrote of the distinction of Al-Wahba and the town of Ashayqar:
“I know of no settled tribe among the Arab tribes in the heart of Najd that has produced more scholars than Bani Tamim, and no town that has produced more scholars than Ashayqar in the Al-Washm region. This has been the case since the tenth Hijri century, and most of these scholars are from Al-Wahba, divided into two clans: Al-Mohammed and Al-Zakher. In my reading of Ibn Bassam’s Scholars of Najd Over Six Centuries, I found over 120 scholars from Al-Wahba of Tamim.”
Among the most prominent families of Al-Wahba is the esteemed Al-Sheikh family, descendants of Imam Mohammed bin Abdulwahhab Al-Musharraf—may God have mercy on him—the leader of the Salafi movement. Sheikh Bakr Abu Zaid noted this due to its deep religious and cultural impact.
From the Al-Wahba families residing in Tameer are Al-Barghash, Al-Rayyis, Al-Mughamis, Al-Khuraif, Al-Huwaimel, and Abanmi. All trace their lineage to Al-Wahba of Bani Tamim and are known for their scholarship, piety, and esteemed place in Najdi society, with a notable presence throughout our nation.
The family also held an interest in astronomy, particularly in relation to agriculture. Farming was the primary occupation of the town’s people before the country’s economic boom. Today, the farms in and around Tameer stand as living witnesses to this heritage, extending into the present, as the preservation of such legacy affirms the continuity of life and the depth of belonging.
One of the farmers known for his astronomical knowledge and a calculation method still used today was Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman bin Uthman bin Barghash bin Rayyis Al-Wahbi Al-Tamimi—may God have mercy on him. It is said that he studied intermittently for about two years under the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh—may God have mercy on them both.
His ancestor, Abdulrahman bin Uthman bin Barghash bin Rayyis—known as “the Sheikh”—was entrusted with collecting the town’s zakat and sending it to the Imams (Al Saud), according to historical accounts. Such historical roles and settings reinforced continued engagement and contributions in these areas of religious and community life.
Abdullah bin Mansour bin Abdulrahman bin Barghash was a scholar of religion who studied under Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim—may God have mercy on them. He supervised the Ikhwan Palace in Riyadh, worked as a teacher in both Tameer and Riyadh, and participated in the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice alongside Sheikh Hassan Al-Sheikh—may God have mercy on them.
His brother, Sheikh Uthman bin Mansour bin Abdulrahman Al-Barghash, also studied under Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim—may God have mercy on them—and graduated from the College of Sharia in Riyadh with an advanced degree in Islamic law. The scholar Mohammed bin Uthman Al-Qadi documented him in his book The Garden of Observers on the Merits of Najd’s Scholars and Historical Events, writing:
“(The distinguished scholar and noble professor Uthman bin Mansour Al-Barghash, from Al-Wahba of Tamim, was born in the governorate of Tameer in Sudair…)”
Also known for his interest in astronomy and farming was the poet Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Uthman Al-Barghash—may God have mercy on him—and his sons after him, known as “the star calculators.” Among his descendants is Essam bin Uthman bin Abdulaziz Al-Barghash, a researcher and observer in astronomy, who participated in crescent sighting and whose testimony has been recorded at the Tameer Observatory.
Mutab inherited this rich legacy of crescent sighting, astronomy, historical sites, and ancestral homes. The Wasi’a area in Tameer has been a location for crescent sighting for over 120 years at the Marajim Watchtower.
Building on this legacy, the Tameer Observatory has emerged as a vital contributor in crescent sighting, fulfilling the objectives prescribed by noble Islamic Sharia. It has become a focal point of attention, standing alongside the Sudair Observatory and other observatories across the Kingdom. The Tameer Observatory is one of more than ten such sites in the country.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Fast upon seeing it, and break your fast upon seeing it.”
In adherence to this Prophetic tradition, observatories are spread across the Kingdom, enabling this sacred practice to be observed in the best way, following the Sunnah of the Chosen One, peace be upon him. The wide geographical expanse of the Kingdom further supports these efforts, strengthening the credibility of sightings.
Many trainees have come to the observatory to learn and carry this practice forward to new generations, fulfilling religious objectives and acting upon the hadith of the Prophet.
Despite the deep astronomical knowledge held by Mutab and his family, they have remained committed to the Prophetic text and the method of visual sighting, as is the standard practice in the Kingdom and in accordance with its scholars.
My father, Abdulrahman Mutab Al-Barghash, dedicated himself to passing on this expertise to future generations—both within the family and beyond. As a result, the Tameer Observatory has become a destination for those seeking to improve their skills in crescent sighting, including visitors from around the world who follow the Kingdom’s official announcements each year.
Mutab noted in media statements that crescent observers undergo periodic eye examinations at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital—reflecting the diligence, quality assurance, and concern of the official authorities regarding the accuracy of this important religious practice.
Among the crescent observers at the Tameer Observatory are Professors Fahd bin Saleh Al-Faisal and Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Faisal, from Bani Al-Anbar of Bani Tamim, and from the Hijaz region, observer Ibrahim bin Yusuf Al-Hilmi.
One of the most recent media appearances was made by Abdulrahman bin Mutab bin Abdulrahman Al-Barghash, who continues this legacy of crescent sighting, following in the footsteps of his fathers, grandfathers, and scholars.
May God grant success to all those engaged in this noble Islamic practice—an endeavor of goodness and blessing. We ask God to reward our leaders and scholars for their care, dedication, and all their efforts and contributions.
Footnote:
(Tameer: A town in Sudair, part of Al-Majma’ah Governorate.)
(Ashayqar: A city of scholars, known as the womb of Najd, located in the Al-Washm region and administratively part of Shaqra.)
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