Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(300): "Maintaining Unity to Cope with COVID-19"

Date Added : 06-04-2021

Resolution No.(300) (3/2021) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Maintaining Unity to Cope with COVID-19"

Date: (17nth of Sha'ban, 1442 AH), corresponding to (31/3/2021 AD).

 

In The Name Of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

In light of the spread of COVID-19, as experts have stated, and the fact that it is posing a serious threat to every member of our society, in addition to rising mortality rates, We pray to Allah to shower us with His mercy. We call on all Jordanians to unite in the face of this cunning enemy since Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour: fear Allah. for Allah is strict in punishment." {Al-Maida/2}.

In its meeting No.(4/2021) held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa` emphasized that the religious sentiment experienced by the loyal citizens during this pandemic is completely harmonious with the religious identity of our beloved Jordan, which is very keen on performing religious rights in all circumstances.

It is no secret that the competent authorities have recommended reducing the numbers of gatherings during particular hours of the day in a bid to minimize infections, which led to closing universities, institutions, schools and mosques. It is normal to have a sense of grief for not performing prayers at the mosque, however, this indicates perfection of faith. Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "That (is the command). And whoso magnifieth the offerings consecrated to Allah, it surely is from devotion of the hearts." {Al-Haj/32}.

However, this religious sentiment shouldn`t be a cause for the spread of the pandemic and the division of Muslims particularly since the closures and their resulting rulings are subject to Ijtihad (Independent reasoning) where arriving at the right decision entails two rewards while arriving at the wrong decision entails one reward. Therefore, we shouldn`t accuse others of non-adherence to the general provisions of Islamic Law, question their intentions or tag them with treason. Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "And whoso committeth a delinquency or crime, then throweth (the blame) thereof upon the innocent, hath burdened himself with falsehood and a flagrant crime." {An-Nisa`/112}.

It is the duty of every individual in this society to promote the culture of cohesion, collaboration, unity, and love. We should also enhance our confidence in religious role models and scholars of Sharia in compliance with this verse {What means}: "Who hear advice and follow the best thereof. Such are those whom Allah guideth, and such are men of understanding." {Az-Zumar/18}. Allah The Almighty also Says {What means}: "speak fair to the people" {Al-Baqarah/83}. We pray that every member of our community and their loved ones remain healthy and well. We also pray to Allah to protect our country and Hashemite leadership. Indeed, He is All-Hearing and answers the prayer. And every success is from Allah Alone.  All Praise is due to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds.

 

Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies.

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Abdulkareem al-Khasawneh

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh, Member

Dr. Mahmoud Al-Sartawi, Member (Left before the end of the Board`s meeting)

Dr. Majed al-Darawsheh, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Judge, Dr. Samer Al-Kubbaj, Member

Dr. Amjad Rasheed, Member (Although the statement covers important and pressing issues in guiding society, it isn`t sufficient. Therefore, I recommend that real studies, in written form, are conducted by experts about the justifications for the Friday curfew {Friday prayer} and banning people from walking to the mosque to perform Fajr and Maghrib prayers since their time is very close to the beginning and end of the curfew-hours. I also recommend considering allowing people to walk to the mosque for `Isha prayer. All of this should be conducted through validated studies from experts in written, not verbal form, then the statement should be based on this form along with complete adherence to safety instructions inside the mosque and other venues).

Dr. Ahmad al-Hasanat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Younis Al-Zou`bi, Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on wearing energy stones?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
There is no objection to a woman adorning herself with precious and semi-precious stones — such as ruby, carnelian, or the like — so long as these are stones that women customarily wear as adornment.
As for what are known as "energy stones," if they are used with the intention of seeking remedy and healing, then such matters are governed by experimentation and scientific study — which either establishes that they have a tangible effect or does not — and all of this operates by the permission and will of Allah, Glorified and Exalted. If studies or practical experience do establish that such stones carry a beneficial effect upon human health, then there is no objection to using them. They are, after all, part of Allah's creation, much like medicinal substances extracted from plants or derived from other created things — provided that the Muslim does not believe that the stone itself is the source of benefit or harm. It is nothing more than a means among the many means that Allah has placed in this world, and the reality of all affairs belongs to Allah alone. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on someone who possesses gold with the intention of saving/hoarding it, and owns nothing else — is he obligated to sell a portion of it in order to pay the zakāh due on it?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Zakāh becomes immediately obligatory on cash, and likewise on gold — that which is not designated for a woman's personal adornment— once both reach the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for zakah) and a full ḥawl (lunar year) has passed over them. It is not permissible to delay payment when it is genuinely possible to pay — meaning, when the wealth and the eligible recipients are both available. It is stated in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.2/p.129): "Zakāh is obligatory immediately once it becomes feasible to pay it, meaning when the wealth and the eligible recipients are both present."
The one paying zakāh must discharge the obligatory zakāh due on saved (hoarded) gold either from the gold itself, or from its equivalent monetary value, in the event that no other funds are available — since paying from the gold itself is the original default (al-aṣl). It becomes permissible to pay from other funds instead only because zakāh is built upon the principle of ease and leniency, as stated in Asnā al-Maṭālib (Vol.1/p.366): "When a full ḥawl has elapsed on wealth other than trade goods... zakāh attaches to the actual asset itself (al-‘ayn), and the poor effectively become partners in it — even, for example, [becoming partners] in camels through the value of a sheep [owed as zakāh on them]... Paying from other wealth is permitted only because zakāh is built upon the principle of ease and leniency."
Accordingly: the one paying zakāh must discharge it either from the actual saved gold itself, or by selling a portion of the gold equal to the amount of zakāh owed. He may also borrow money to pay the zakāh, or pay the zakāh in installments before the ḥawl is complete [as an advance payment]. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling on performing the obligatory prayer immediately after the commencement of the Adhan?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to perform the obligatory prayer (Fard) immediately after the commencement of the prayer time. As the Adhan (call to prayer) serves as a sign that the time has entered, it is permissible to pray as soon as the Adhan begins. However, it is recommended (Mustahabb) for whoever hears the Mu’adhin to repeat what he says. If the Adhan occurs while one is already engaged in prayer, he should repeat the words of the Mu’adhin after he has completed his prayer. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

Is Zakah (obligatory charity) due on owned land?

Zakah is due on the land used as an article of merchandise and was originally bought for that end. Zakah is due on it at the end of every lunar year. Its value is estimated, and (2.5%) of the total value of all such lands owned by the questioner is given as Zakah. However, no Zakah is due on the land used for building a house, or an agricultural purpose.