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Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(189): "Types of Stem Cells and the Sharia Rulings Pertaining to them"

Date Added : 18-11-2015

Resolution No.(189)(9/2013) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Types of Stem Cells and the Sharia Rulings Pertaining to them"

Date: 27/Tholqidah/1434 AH, corresponding to 3/10/2013.

 

All perfect praise is due to Allah, peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

Elaborating on its earlier resolution No.(6/2013) which included special amendments to the stem cells system, the Board decided what follows:

In terms of medicine, stem cells are unspecialized (undifferentiated) cells that are characteristically of the same family type (lineage). They retain the ability to divide throughout life and give rise to cells that can become highly specialized and take the place of cells that die or are lost. Stem cells contribute to the body`s ability to renew and repair its tissues. Based on their source, stem cells are divided into the following types; each has its own ruling from the perspective of Sharia:

Type One: Human Embryonic Stem Cells

These are taken from fertilized eggs that are left over from in vitro fertilization (IVF), starting from the date of fertilization and ending after five days from the start of the sequential segmentations.

For this type to be considered permissible, fertilization should take place between two spouses who wish to beget children, and whose marriage contract is valid. This is provided that they abide by the specified number of fertilization attempts along with observing the rules of Sharia concerning the test-tube babies.

Type Two: Adult Stem Cells:

These are taken from the umbilical cord after delivery, milk teeth, different tissues of a human being after being born, aborted fetuses, tissues of fetuses implanted in the uterus or the umbilical cord or the placenta and its membrane, and the amniotic fluid,  whether inside the uterus or outside it.

Using this type of cells is permissible; however, proper legislations should be set up in order to ban deliberate abortion that aims at obtaining them. It is also important to avoid taking advantage of illegal abortion, because the use of these cells could lead to legalizing such abortion.

Type Three: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells:

They are specialized adult cells that can be programmed into cells that behave like embryonic stem cells.

Type Four: Hybrid Stem Cells:

These cells result from combining human DNA with a non-human cell.

Islamic Sharia permits using the third and the fourth types because there is no Sharia evidence that forbids them. This is provided that they aren`t implanted in a woman`s womb and they aren`t used for increasing mankind.

In conclusion, it is conditioned that the above mentioned types don`t cause any harm to mankind and that the medical rules and regulations are observed. The Legislation and Opinion Bureau has worked out a draft-law to that end and it was ratified by the Iftaa` Board which made key amendments to it in order to make sure that the rules of Sharia are abided by. And Allah Knows Best. 

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh.

Vice-Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Prof. Ahmad Helayel

Prof. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member

His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Pro. Mohammad Al-Qhodat/ Member

     Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member

Dr.Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on doubting whether one or two prostrations were performed?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If a worshiper is in doubt regarding the number of units (rak'ahs) or prostrations (sajdahs) performed, he must build upon the minimum (i.e., assume the lower number) and perform the prostration of forgetfulness (Sujud al-Sahw) before the Salam at the end of the prayer. This is based on the report from ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'When anyone of you is in doubt about his Salat (prayer) and does not know how many he has prayed, three or four (Rak'at) he should cast aside his doubt and base his prayer on what he is sure of. Then, he should perform two prostrations before Taslim (salutation). If he has prayed five Rak'at, they will make his Salat (prayer) an even number for him and if he has prayed exactly four, they (i.e. two prostrations) will be humiliation for the devil..' (Narrated by Abu Dawud).
 
It is stated in Al-Muqaddimah al-Hadramiyyah: 'If one doubts [whether he performed] a bowing (ruku’), a prostration, or a rak'ah, he must perform it and prostrate [for forgetfulness], even if the doubt is removed before the Salam—unless the doubt is removed before he performs what would potentially be an addition. Thus, if he doubts whether he prayed three or four, he is obligated to build upon the minimum.' And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What should one do if they see someone deliberately eating or drinking openly during Ramadan?

They must enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. If they fear harm from that person, they should disapprove of it in their heart but avoid sitting with them if possible. It is also preferable to seek the help of the authorities to prevent them from doing so.

Is washing the private part after urinating (Istinjaa`) a condition, and is it done with water and soap, or with water only?

Istinjaa` is obligatory for removing impurity, and it can be done with toilet paper, or a stone, or water. It is preferable to do Istinjaa` first with paper, or stone, or the like, then to wash the private part with water until making sure that the impurity has been removed. Using soap is not a condition, but there is no harm in doing so provided that it is washed off with water. It is also permissible to use either water, or paper if impurity is removed by any.

Is it a condition that a woman should untie her locks while making Ghusl (ritual bath)?

Ghusl from Janabah (ritual impurity), or menstruation obligates that water reaches the roots of the hair in order for the Ghusl to be valid, but if it doesn`t, then hair locks must be untied for water to reach them, and for Ghusl to become valid.

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