Research Interests
Research Interests and Scholarly Focus
My research interests connect Islamic astronomy, observational science, astronomical measurement, Hijri calendar studies, and Islamic legal reasoning. These themes form an integrated research agenda concerned with the scientific understanding of astronomical phenomena and their relevance to Islamic law and religious practice.
Crescent Visibility
My research on crescent visibility examines the astronomical, atmospheric, and observational conditions that determine whether the young lunar crescent can be detected after sunset.
Particular attention is given to lunar altitude, elongation, illumination, atmospheric conditions, twilight brightness, and the contrast between the crescent signal and its surrounding sky. The research seeks to strengthen crescent visibility criteria through observational and quantitative evidence.
Twilight / Syafaq
Twilight research focuses on the changing brightness of the sky after sunset and its relationship with the visibility of faint astronomical objects, particularly the young crescent Moon.
In tropical environments, the characteristics of syafaq are especially important because atmospheric conditions, solar depression, humidity, aerosols, and horizon brightness can directly influence observational conditions and the interpretation of Islamic astronomical phenomena.
Sky Brightness
Sky brightness is investigated as an important environmental variable affecting astronomical observation. My research examines how twilight, artificial lighting, atmospheric scattering, and local observing conditions influence the brightness of the celestial background.
Quantitative measurements of sky brightness help evaluate whether observational sites provide sufficient contrast for reliable crescent detection and can support evidence-based assessment of observational environments.
Hisab–Rukyat
My work on hisab–rukyat investigates the relationship between astronomical calculation and direct observation in determining the beginning of the Hijri month.
Rather than treating calculation and observation as opposing approaches, the research explores their methodological integration through astronomical parameters, observational evidence, crescent visibility models, and Islamic legal reasoning.
Hijri Calendar
Research on the Hijri calendar examines the astronomical, methodological, and juridical foundations used to determine the beginning of lunar months.
The work includes analysis of lunar cycles, conjunction, crescent visibility criteria, observational evidence, regional and global calendar models, and the institutional challenges associated with developing scientifically informed and socially acceptable Hijri calendar systems.
Islamic Astronomy
Islamic astronomy provides the broader disciplinary framework for my research. It connects astronomical knowledge with Islamic religious practices such as determining the Hijri calendar, prayer times, qibla direction, and lunar observation.
My approach combines classical Islamic astronomical traditions with contemporary observational astronomy, computational methods, digital technology, and interdisciplinary Islamic legal analysis.
Astronomical Photometry
Astronomical photometry is used to transform visual crescent observations into measurable quantitative data. My research applies aperture-based measurement to estimate crescent intensity and surrounding sky brightness.
These measurements allow the calculation of relative contrast and provide numerical evidence for evaluating crescent detectability under different twilight and atmospheric conditions.
Digital Imaging
Digital imaging research explores the use of astronomical cameras, image preprocessing, enhancement, and computational analysis to improve the detection of faint crescent signals.
Image processing enables observational data to be examined more objectively, supports photometric measurement, and provides a reproducible record that can be evaluated beyond direct visual observation.
Astronomical Evidence
A central concern of my interdisciplinary research is the role of astronomical evidence in Islamic legal reasoning. Scientific observation and quantitative measurement can provide empirical information relevant to legal discussions concerning religious time and astronomical phenomena.
This research examines how scientifically verified astronomical information can interact with legal interpretation without reducing Islamic law merely to scientific calculation.
Islamic Law
My research in Islamic law examines the development, interpretation, and application of Islamic legal reasoning in response to contemporary social, scientific, and technological developments.
Particular attention is given to the relationship between normative legal sources, juristic methodology, empirical evidence, institutional authority, and contemporary legal challenges.
Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah
Maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah provides an analytical framework for examining the purposes, values, and substantive objectives of Islamic law.
My research uses maqāṣid-oriented reasoning to evaluate issues of justice, public benefit, legal change, family protection, scientific evidence, and the social implications of contemporary Islamic legal decisions.
Islamic Family Law
Research in Islamic family law examines the relationship between classical jurisprudence, contemporary legal reform, justice, family protection, and changing social conditions.
Themes include marriage, divorce, family rights, legal change, maqāṣid-based interpretation, gender justice, and the development of Islamic family law within contemporary legal systems.