Al-Baqarah 2:189 begins: يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْأَهِلَّةِ
“They ask you about the new moons.”
The response states: قُلْ هِيَ مَوَاقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَالْحَجِّ
“Say: they are markers of time for people and pilgrimage.”
The reply helps determine the intended function of the question. The physical appearance of lunar phases and their use for determining times are distinguishable topics. Interpretation should respect the purpose highlighted by the verse rather than displace it with a preferred alternative topic.