Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(153): "Ruling on Taking Charge of Orphans` Funds and Transferring them to other Parties"

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(153)(18/2010) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Taking Charge of Orphans` Funds and Transferring them to other Parties"

Date: 2/9/1431, corresponding to 12/8/2010 AD.

 

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

During its ninth session held on the above given date, the Board reviewed the letter of His Grace, The Supreme Judge, with which was enclosed the letter of her Excellency, The Minister of Social Affairs, where she asked for clarifying the rule of Sharia on cancelling the sponsorship of orphans who are cared for by alternative families after changing their names, and the possibility of transferring the funds deposited in their bank accounts to the account of the foundation, where they were raised in the first place?

After prolonged deliberations, the Board decided:

It is permissible for the sponsor to cancel his sponsorship for a certain reason, such as: improvement of the orphan`s living conditions, the sponsor is unable to provide for him or another person volunteered to sponsor him. Therefore, ending the sponsorship, in these cases, is permissible.

As regards the funds that have already been deposited in the account of a certain orphan or those being donated to him, they are considered his own property, and it is impermissible for the givers to take them back, whatever the case may be. This is because once a person gives a Hibah (grant/donation), he isn`t permitted to take it back. This is indicated by the Hadith of the Prophet: "One who gets back the gift is like one who eats vomit" (Muslim).

Accordingly, it isn`t permissible for anyone to take from an orphan`s funds, save to be spent in matters beneficial to him and with the approval of his guardian and without any sort of compulsion. Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): "Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, eat up a Fire into their own bodies: They will soon be enduring a Blazing Fire!" { An-Nisa`}. The Prophet (PBUH) also said (what means):"It is unlawful to take the property of a Muslim, save with his cheerfulness" {Narrated by Darqotni}. Moreover, changing an orphan`s name or being cared for by another family isn`t an excuse for taking the funds donated to him or giving them to any party because they have become his own property. Since these orphans haven`t reached puberty, it isn`t permissible to transfer the funds deposited in their accounts to any party. This is because it isn`t permissible for anyone to take charge of another`s property because the latter is placed under interdiction for being underage or the like, save in matters that are beneficial to him. Therefore, once these orphans reach puberty, they can do whatever they want as far as their property is concerned. Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): "if then ye find sound judgment in them, release their property to them." (An-Nisa`/6). And Allah Knows Best.

 

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

Vice Head of the Iftaa` Board, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member

His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa

Judge Sarrie Attieh

Dr. Abdulrahman Ibbdah/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Oklah/ Member

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

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Gharaibeh/ Member

Executive Secretary of the Iftaa` board, Dr. Ahmad Al-Has`sanat

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

How should the sacrifice (udhiyah) be distributed?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is obligatory to give the poor a portion of the meat from a voluntary sacrifice (Udhiyah al-Tatawwu’), which should not be less than approximately half a kilogram of raw meat. Other parts do not suffice for this obligation, such as the liver, tripe, or intestines.
It is Sunnah for the one offering the sacrifice to divide it into thirds: one-third for himself and his household to eat, one-third to be given as charity to the poor, and one-third to be given as a gift to friends and neighbors, even if they are wealthy. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Does Laylat al-Qadr move between the nights of Ramadan?

Laylat al-Qadr is definitely in Ramadan, and it is most likely in the last ten nights, especially on the odd-numbered nights.
For this reason, the Prophet ﷺ commanded observing worship in the last ten nights, and he himself used to dedicate those nights to worship. Many people put special effort into the 27th night of Ramadan, and they are rewarded in any case, whether they actually coincide with Laylat al-Qadr or not, because worshiping on any night of Ramadan carries great rewards.

What is the ruling on performing Tarawih in sets of four rak‘ahs with only one Tasleem?

It is not permissible to combine more than two rak‘ahs with a single Tasleem in Tarawih prayer. Whoever does so, their prayer is invalid. Shaykh al-Islam Imam Muhammad al-Ramli (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: "If a person prays four rak‘ahs of the Tarawih prayer with a single Tasleem, it is not valid if they did so intentionally and with knowledge [of the prohibition]. Otherwise, it becomes an 'absolute voluntary prayer' (nafl mutlaq); because it is contrary to what has been prescribed." [Nihayat al-Muhtaj, Vol.2/P.127].

What is the ruling on Zakat al-Fitr?

Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim for themselves and for those they are financially responsible for, provided they possess wealth that is surplus to their and their family's needs on the night and day of Eid.
Ibn Umar reported: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory—one sa‘ (measure) of dates or one sa‘ of barley—upon every Muslim, whether slave or free, male or female, young or old." [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
Its estimated amount is approximately 2,500 grams of wheat or rice, and the General Iftaa` Department issues an annual ruling specifying its monetary value.