APPLICATION OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE INTERPRETATION OF ASTRONOMICAL HADITH: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY

Abstract

Astronomical Hadith, which include Prophetic traditions related to celestial phenomena such as moon sighting, prayer times, eclipses, and the determination of the qiblah, remain highly relevant in contemporary Islamic studies. However, many classical interpretations of these narrations were developed within historical contexts that lacked access to modern scientific instruments and digital technologies. This has created challenges in addressing present-day issues such as differences in lunar calendar determinations, inconsistencies in moon sighting practices, and limited integration between traditional Hadith scholarship and modern astronomical knowledge. Therefore, a renewed analytical framework is needed to reinterpret astronomical Hadith through contemporary technological advancements. This study aims to examine the interpretation of astronomical Hadith through modern technology and to evaluate how scientific tools can contribute to a more accurate and contextual understanding of these traditions. Specifically, the study seeks to identify the major themes of astronomical Hadith, analyse their classical and contemporary interpretations, and assess the role of modern technology in enhancing their practical application. The research employs a qualitative library-based methodology using an analytical and interdisciplinary approach. Primary sources include canonical Hadith collections and classical commentaries, while secondary sources consist of recent scholarly articles in Islamic studies, astronomy, and digital technology. Data are analysed through content analysis and comparative interpretation between traditional scholarship and modern scientific findings. The study finds that modern technologies such as telescopes, satellite imaging, astronomical software, geographic positioning systems, and artificial intelligence offer valuable support in understanding and applying astronomical Hadith. These tools can improve precision in lunar observation, prayer time calculation, and qiblah determination while preserving the textual authority of Hadith. The study concludes that constructive integration between Hadith scholarship and modern technology can provide a balanced and practical framework for addressing contemporary astronomical issues in the Muslim world.