Verification of Hilāl Image Using AI-Based Web Tool in Aceh Jaya

Ravik Walhidayah; Ismail Ismail

doi:10.21580/al-hilal.2025.7.2.28809

Authors

Ravik Walhidayah Universitas Islam Negeri Sultanah Nahrasiyah Lhokseumawe, Indonesia
Ismail Ismail Universitas Islam Negeri Sultanah Nahrasiyah Lhokseumawe, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4365-8534

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21580/al-hilal.2025.7.2.28809

Keywords:

hijri calendar, hilāl verification, artificial intelligence, ru’yah

Abstract

The determination of Hijri month beginnings is frequently disputed, particularly due to the subjective nature of the ru’yah (visual sighting) method, which is affected by observer bias and atmospheric variability. This study addresses a contested hilāl sighting in Aceh Jaya for Zulhijjah 1, 1446, where a photograph led to uncertainty in official determination. To mitigate misinterpretation, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based public website utilizing Google’s Teachable Machine was developed and tested. Descriptive analysis was conducted on two disputed photographic samples from the event. The AI model, trained for crescent (hilāl) image classification, consistently identified both samples as non-hilāl with a confidence exceeding 97%. The findings indicate the images were likely artifacts or noise rather than genuine crescent sightings. The research demonstrates that AI platforms provide reliable, objective support in hilāl verification, enhancing the standardization and credibility of Hijri calendar determinations for religious and scientific authorities.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Al-Rajab, Murad, Samia Loucif, and Yazan Al Risheh. “Predicting New Crescent Moon Visibility Applying Machine Learning Algorithms.” Scientific Reports 13, no. 1 (2023): 6674. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32807-x.

Anaam, Khairul. “Utilization of Radio Telescopes in Determining the Beginning of the Islamic Calendar.” Al-Hilal: Journal of Islamic Astronomy 6, no. 2 (2024): 177–98. https://doi.org/10.21580/al-hilal.2024.6.2.23416.

Arisafitri, Novi, Ali Imron, Ahmad Syifaul Anam, and Darliswanto Darliswanto. “Territory, Hilāl, and Sovereignty: Revisiting Indonesia’s Maṭla’ under MABIMS’ New Criteria.” Al-Hilal: Journal of Islamic Astronomy 7, no. 1 (2025): 19–36. https://doi.org/10.21580/al-hilal.2025.7.1.25278.

Fathoni, Sulthon. “Problematika Tempat Rukyatul Hilal Di Kalimantan Timur.” SANGAJI : Jurnal Pemikiran Syariah Dan Hukum 8, no. 2 (2024): 327–41. https://doi.org/10.52266/sangaji.v8i2.3455.

Ismail, Ismail, Machzumy, and Mohd. Yusri bin Jusoh. “Ulama and Islamic Astronomy in Contemporary Indonesia: T.M. Ali Muda’s Concept on Matlak Hilal.” Journal of Indonesian Ulama 3, no. 1 (2025). https://doi.org/10.30821/JIU.V3I1.596.

Lairgi, Yassir. “When Astronomy Meets AI: Manazel For Crescent Visibility Prediction in Morocco.” arXiv:2503.21634. Preprint, arXiv, March 27, 2025. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2503.21634.

Loucif, Samia, Murad Al-Rajab, Raed Abu Zitar, and Mahmoud Rezk. “Toward a Globally Lunar Calendar: A Machine Learning-Driven Approach for Crescent Moon Visibility Prediction.” Journal of Big Data 11, no. 1 (2024): 114. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40537-024-00979-6.

Mahkamah Syar’iyah Aceh (ms-aceh.go.id). “Unik, Hilal terlihat setelah 2 kali sidang dengan 2 permohonan.” May 27, 2025. https://ms-aceh.go.id/berita-se-aceh/item/15006-unik%2C-hilal-terlihat-setelah-2-kali-sidang-dengan-2-permohonan.

Maskufa, Maskufa. “Hisab Wujud al-Hilal sebagai Politik Identitas Muhammadiyah dalam Diskursus Hisab Rukyat di Indonesia.” Indo-Islamica Journal 6, no. 2 (2016): 183–202.

Maskufa, Maskufa, Sopa Sopa, Sri Hidayati, and Adi Damanhuri. “Implementation of the New MABIMS Crescent Visibility Criteria: Efforts to Unite the Hijriyah Calendar in the Southeast Asian Region.” AHKAM : Jurnal Ilmu Syariah 22, no. 1 (2022): 209–36. https://doi.org/10.15408/ajis.v22i1.22275.

Mathew, Midhun P, and Therese Yamuna Mahesh. “Object Detection Based on Teachable Machine.” Journal of VLSI Design and Signal Processing 7, no. 2 (2021). https://doi.org/10.46610/jovdsp.2021.v07i02.003.

Mohd Nawawi, Mohd Saiful Anwar, Muhamad Syazwan Faid, Mohd Hafiz Mohd Saadon, Raihana Abdul Wahab, and Nazhatulshima Ahmad. “Hijri Month Determination in Southeast Asia: An Illustration Between Religion, Science, and Cultural Background.” Heliyon 10, no. 20 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38668.

Mufid, Abdul, and Thomas Djamaluddin. “The Implementation of New Minister of Religion of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore Criteria towards the Hijri Calendar Unification.” HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies 79, no. 1 (2023): 8. https://doi.org/10.4102/HTS.V79I1.8774.

Nugroho, Emmanuel Agung, Joga Dharma Setiawan, and Munadi. “Image Classification System Design for Yarn Inspection Process Using Teachable Machine and Raspberry Pi.” ICSMech 2024 - 1st International Conference on Smart Mechatronics: Transformative Innovations in Smart Mechatronics: Bridging AI, Robotics, and loT for a Sustainable Future, no. November 2024 (2024): 19–24. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSMech62936.2024.10812271.

Oliveira, Fabiano Pereira de, Christiane Gresse von Wangenheim, and Jean C. R. Hauck. TMIC: App Inventor Extension for the Deployment of Image Classification Models Exported from Teachable Machine. 12, no. Ml (2022).

Padmaja, Chinimilli Venkata Rama, Sadasivuni Lakshmi Narayana, Gouthami Latha Anga, and Priyanka Kumari Bhansali Bhansali. “The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: A Concise Review.” IAES International Journal of Artificial Intelligence (IJ-AI) 13, no. 2 (2024): 2226–35. https://doi.org/DOI:%252010.11591/ijai.v13.i2.pp2226-2235.

Putusan, Direktori, Mahkamah Agung, Republik Indonesia, Negeri Sipil, and Plh Kepala. Direktori Putusan Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia. 2025.

Rashid, Adib Bin, and Md Ashfakul Karim Kausik. “AI Revolutionizing Industries Worldwide: A Comprehensive Overview of Its Diverse Applications.” Hybrid Advances 7 (December 2024): 100277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hybadv.2024.100277.

Rofiuddin, Ahmad Adib, and Moelki Fahmi Ardliansyah. “The Utilization of Artificial Intelligence in Determining the Beginning of Islamic Calendar in Indonesia.” Al-Marshad: Jurnal Astronomi Islam Dan Ilmu-Ilmu Berkaitan 10, no. 2 (2025): 82–94. https://doi.org/10.30596/jam.v10i2.16803.

Soderi, Ridhokimura, and Ahmad Izuddin. “Kajian Faktor Psikologi Yang Berpotensi Mempengaruhi Keberhasilan Rukyat.” Juris: Jurnal Ilmiah Syariah 19, no. 1 (2020): 59–72. https://doi.org/10.31958/juris.v19i1.1930.

Syarif, Muh Rasywan, Sakirman Sakirman, and Muhammad Fazlurrahman Syarif. “A Semantic Literature Review on Crescent Visibility: Trends, Models, and Implications for the Islamic Calendar.” Al-Hilal: Journal of Islamic Astronomy 7, no. 1 (2024): 67–88. https://doi.org/10.21580/al-hilal.2025.7.1.26099.

Wanandi, Zulfian, Mahsun Mahsun, Suhardiman Suhardiman, and Mowafg Abrahem Masuwd. “Reforming Lunar Calculations in Indonesia: The Academic Legacy of Muhammad Basiuni Imran.” Al-Hilal: Journal of Islamic Astronomy 7, no. 1 (2025): 89–100. https://doi.org/10.21580/al-hilal.2025.7.1.25950.