Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(59): “Ruling on Planting Trees in Graveyards“

Date Added : 02-11-2015

   

Resolution No.(59): “Ruling on Planting Trees in Graveyards“

Date: 9/11/1422 AH corresponding to 23/1/2002 AD.

 

Question:

What is the ruling of Islamic Sharia on planting trees in graveyards?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

According to Islamic Sharia, planting trees in graveyards is permissible since it is included within the general meaning of the Sharia maxim which states that, in principle, things are permissible so long as there is no provision from the Quran and the Sunnah proving otherwise, and there is no evidence that forbids such an act. However, trees shouldn`t be planted directly above the graves, rather, they should be planted in the corridors and places where there are no graves. This is in order for their roots not to harm the dead because doing so is forbidden as stated in the Prophet`s Hadith {what means}: "Breaking a deceased body’s bones is exactly like breaking them when he is alive.” {Related by Abu Dawud in accordance with the conditions of Muslim}. And Allah Knows Best.

Iftaa` Board

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Izz Al-Deen Al-Tamimi

                 Dr. Mohammad Abu Yahia     

                                                                     Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

                   Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi        

                 Sheikh Mahmoud Shwayyaat

     Dr. Yousef Gheezaan

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

   Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

How is night prayer offered?

Night prayer is offering voluntary prayer after Maghrib and before Fajr (Dawn). As for Tahajjud, it is offering voluntary prayer at night after waking up voluntarily, and for Allah`s sake as He Says (What means): "And pray in the small watches of the morning: (it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for thee: soon will thy Lord raise thee to a Station of Praise and Glory!" [Al-Isra`/79]. Offering Tahajjud is better than offering voluntary prayer before going to bed.

What is the ruling on performing the Istikhara prayer after the Witr paryer?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The Istikhara prayer (Prayer for seeking guidance) is a Sunnah. It consists of two units (rak’ahs) performed outside of the obligatory prayers, after which the person supplicates with the traditionally narrated du’a. It is permissible to perform it before or after the Witr prayer, as the Istikhara prayer is recommended at all times except during the disliked times—the periods in which prayer is prohibited. This is because its specific reason (the Istikhara and supplication) occurs after the prayer itself, and any prayer with a subsequent reason is not permitted during the prohibited times. It should be noted that the two rak’ahs of Istikhara are not fulfilled by performing only one rak’ah, nor by a prostration of recitation (Sajdat al-Tilawah), nor by a funeral prayer (Janazah). And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on bypassing a nearby mosque for a distant one?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If a distant mosque has a larger congregation (Jama‘ah) while the congregation in the nearby mosque is smaller, and the congregation in the nearby mosque is not adversely affected by the worshiper's absence, then it is better for him to pray in the distant mosque with the larger congregation. However, if the congregation in the nearby mosque would be affected by his absence—such as if he is its Imam, or if his presence encourages others to attend—then praying in the nearby mosque is better. This ensures that the congregation is established in two different locations within the community. This is based on the saying of the Prophet ﷺ: 'A man's prayer offered with another man is purer than his prayer which he offers alone, and his prayer with two men is purer than his prayer with one and if they are more (in number), it is more beloved to Allah, the Mighty the Majestic' (Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, and An-Nasa'i). And Allah the Exalted knows best.

If someone regularly fasts the six days of Shawwal, are they obligated to fast them every year?

A person is not obligated to fast the six days of Shawwal every year, even if they have made it a habit. However, someone who regularly performs a good deed should not abandon it as long as they are able.