Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(107): "Proposed Amendments to the System of the Income and Sales Tax Department Fund"

Date Added : 12-04-2016

 

Resolution No.(107) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Proposed Amendments to the System of the Income and Sales Tax Department Fund"

Date: 26/4/1427 A.H, corresponding to 24/5/2006 A.D

 

We have received the following question: What is the ruling of Sharia on the instructions governing the disbursement of money from the Income and Sales Tax Department Fund, published in the official gazette?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

First: Article (5), paragraphs (H, Z)

Paragraph (Z) stated that among the Fund`s revenues is:  "Loans obtained by the Fund from any source to be given as housing loans to the Department`s employees."

Paragraph (Z) stated that another source of the Fund`s revenues is: "Benefits and profits achieved by the Fund`s investment of the revenues referred to in the aforementioned article."

The Board is of the view that the following sentence must be added to the above paragraphs:"In line with the provisions of Islamic Law."

Second: Article (6) stated: "The committee shall deposit, the money referred to in article (5), in one or more of the non-Islamic banks."

The Board is of the view that the above money must be deposited in Islamic banks.

Third: Article (18) stated: "The administrative committee shall have the right to initiate all legal procedures against those who fall behind in repaying their monthly allocations, for whatever reason, in line with the stipulations of the concluded loan-contract."

The Board views that the above procedures must comply with the provisions of Islamic Law.

Fourth: Article (19), paragraph(A): "The loanee shall be charged with 2%, as administrative and general expenses, from the value of the loan, to be deducted instantly upon receiving the first payment."

The Board is of the view that a definite amount must be specified for all types of loans regardless of their value, and not a percentage from the value of the loan itself, in order to avoid Riba(Usury/interest).

Fifth: Article (22), paragraph (1): "The administrative committee shall have the authority, after the approval of the Director-General, to issue executive decisions concerning the following:

1- Developing the Fund`s resources.

2- Any decisions that guarantee executing the provisions of these instructions."

The Board is of the view that developing the Fund`s resources must comply with the provisions of Islamic Law. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

Dr. Yousef Ghizan/Member

Dr. Abdulmajeed Assalaheen/Member

Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawai/Member

Sheikh Abdulkareem Khasawneh/Member

Sheikh Na`iem Mojahid/Member

Dr. Wasif Albakhri/Member

 

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

There are olive trees within the precincts of the mosque, and my father covers the costs of electricity, water, and other needs of the mosque. Is it permissible for him to take the olive harvest?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
If trees and fruit-bearing crops are planted in a mosque for the mosque itself, they may only be spent on the mosque’s interests. If they were planted for the public way (musabbalah), that is, for the general public, then any Muslim who enters the mosque may eat from them. If the planter’s intention is unknown, they are treated like those dedicated for public use, wherever custom has so run.
It is stated in Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj (Vol.6/p.295): “The fruit of a tree planted for the mosque within it is not freely permitted without compensation. Rather, the imam spends its equivalent value on the mosque’s interests. The tree left its planter’s ownership here without any verbal declaration because of the evident indication. The case of planting it for the mosque excludes planting it as musabbalah, in which case eating from it without compensation is permissible, and likewise if his intention is unknown, where custom has so run. The tree may be uprooted from the mosque if the imam sees fit. Indeed, if he makes the plot a mosque while a tree stands in it, the imam may uproot it, even if the endower included it within the endowment (waqf).”
The father is a donor (mutabarriʿ), so he is not entitled to take anything in return for his donation to the mosque.
The Ministry of Awqāf is the body that supervises the affairs of endowments, so it must be consulted and the Sharīʿah and administrative instructions regulating such matters must be considered. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible to offer prayer at home, or should it be offered in the mosque?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds.                                                                                                                                                                      It isn`t preferable for the man to pray at home as praying in the mosque is twenty seven times more rewarding. Therefore, this should motivate him to offer prayers in the mosque. And Allah Knows Best.

I own a pharmacy and have only merchandise. A full year (*ḥawl*) has passed and I have no cash. How do I pay the zakāh?

 

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
Zakāh must be paid immediately from the day it becomes due, and delaying it is forbidden when one is able to pay it, because it is the right of the poor, and it is forbidden to delay giving people their rights except for a valid Sharīʿah excuse. Shaykh al-Islām Imam al-Nawawī (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “In our school, zakāh must be paid out immediately. Once it becomes due and he is able to pay it, it is not permissible to delay it. If he is unable, he may delay it until he is able. If he delays it after being able, he is disobedient and becomes liable for it.” [al-Majmūʿ Sharḥ al-Muhadhdhab, Vol.5/p.333]
If cash is not available to pay the zakāh and the only option is to pay in installments, he must pay it, even if in installments, from the proceeds of the merchandise that is sold after the time the zakāh became due, by deducting a set amount from each day’s takings. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What should one do if they see a fasting person eating or drinking forgetfully during Ramadan?

If someone sees a fasting person in Ramadan eating or drinking forgetfully, they should gently remind them to stop. Although the forgetful person is neither sinful nor has their fast broken, their action outwardly appears as something impermissible. Therefore, we should kindly remind them to refrain.