Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(179): "Ruling on Giving up Fast by Sportsmen"

Date Added : 17-11-2015

Resolution No.(179)(11/2012) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Giving up Fast by Sportsmen"

Date: 28/8/1433 AH, corresponding to 18/7/2012 AD.

 

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

On the above date, the Board reviewed the following question:

Is it permissible for sportsmen to give up fasting in order to take part in competitions?

After researching and deliberating, the Board decided what follows:

It is not permissible for sportsmen to give up fasting in order to take part in competitions because  it isn’t one of the Sharia-approved excuses. Allah Has Said (what means): "Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting." {Al-Baqarah/185}. Since fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, it is obligatory for everyone who is competent for religious assignments and has the ability to carry them out. Therefore, such people have to reorganize their priorities to be able to observe the obligatory fast.

It is impermissible to give priority to sport events over a pillar of Islam; particularly since it is possible to hold competitions in Muslim countries  after Maghrib time, or to arrive at a certain arrangement with the sport officials of the non-Muslim countries in order to make it possible for the Muslim competitors to observe obligatory fast.

If the competitor has experienced unusual hardship because he had to take part in that competition, then he is allowed to break his fast. However, that doesn`t exempt him from making the intention to fast and to actually observe the fast of each day of Ramadan from its beginning. If he experiences unusual hardship, then he is allowed to break his fast, but he should make up the missed days later.

However, if the sportsman was travelling for a long distance-more than (81km.) - then he is allowed to break his fast during the time of his travel, although it is better for him not to break his fast, since Allah, The Almighty, Says (What means): "For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew." {Al-Baqarah/184}. If he broke his fast, then he is obliged to make it up later, as indicated by the following verse: "(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later." {Al-Baqarah/184}. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the General Iftaa` Board, His grace the Mufti General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Prof. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi/ Member

Prof. Mohammad Al-Khwdah/Member

Prof. Abdul N`nassir Abu-Al-bas`sal/Member

Dr.Yahia Al-Boutoosh/Member

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Az`zoubi/ Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

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.

How can I love the prayer (Salah) and start praying?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Love for the prayer (Salah) comes when you realize that this world is fleeting and the Hereafter is everlasting. Your prayer is the righteous deed that will comfort you in your grave and be your salvation before Allah in the Hereafter. Do you not wish to attain tranquility in this life and Paradise in the next? Reflect upon your state and do not delay, for life does not wait. We ask Allah to grant us and you steadfastness (Thabat).

 Should a person who doesn’t offer Tasbeehb (saying Subhaana Rabbiya Al-‘Atheem during Rukoo`, and saying Subhaana Rabbiya Al-A‘laa during Sujood) during Rukoo` and Sujood perform As-Sahw Sujood (prostration of forgetfulness)?

He/ she doesn`t have to perform Sujood As-Sahw, whether he/she didn`t offer Tasbeeh during Rukoo` and Sujood either intentionally ,or unintentionally, provided that the attentiveness of the heart wasn`t undermined since it is a pillar in both.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law if the follower (maʾmūm) stands up for the third rakʿah out of forgetfulness while the imam has sat for the middle tashahhud?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
If the imam sits for the tashahhud while the follower (maʾmūm), out of forgetfulness, stands up for the third rakʿah, he is obliged to return to his sitting position, since following the imam is obligatory. In this case, no prostration of forgetfulness (sujūd al-sahw) is required of him. If, however, he fails to return, his prayer is rendered invalid.
Shaykh al-Islām Imām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "If the follower stands up alone out of forgetfulness, he is obliged to return, since following the imam is obligatory... If he does not return, his prayer is rendered invalid, due to his departure from what is obligatory." [Asnā al-Maṭālib,Vol.1/P.190] And Allah the Almighty knows best.