The Final Act of the Fourth Iftaa' Forum Entitled "The Role of Islamic Culture in Forming Individuals and Societies"

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What is the ruling on sacrificing a castrated animal or one with a missing tail?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.

It is permissible to sacrifice a castrated sheep; as it has been established that the Prophet (peace be upon him) sacrificed:

"...two large, fat, horned, white-and-black, castrated rams (Mawju'ayn—meaning having crushed testicles)." [Narrated by Ibn Majah in his Sunan].

It is not permissible to sacrifice an animal that is missing its tail, or udder due to being cut off. This is in contrast to an animal that was naturally born without a tail, or udder; such an animal is valid for sacrifice. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible to offer an Udhiyah on behalf of the deceased?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.

Offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) on behalf of a deceased person is permissible. This is the official position of the Hanbali school (as stated in Kashshaf al-Qina’ by al-Bahuti,Vol.6/P.428) and was also upheld by the prominent Shafi'i scholar Al-’Abbadi (mentioned in Bidayat al-Muhtaj by Ibn Qadi Shuhbah,Vol. 4/P.358). It has likewise been narrated as a valid view among some Maliki and Hanafi scholars.

In fact, Imam Abu Dawud dedicated an entire chapter in his Sunan collection entitled, "Chapter on Sacrificing on Behalf of the Deceased." In it, he recorded a narration from Hanash, who said: "I saw 'Ali sacrificing two rams, so I asked him, 'What is this?' He replied, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded me to offer a sacrifice on his behalf, so I am sacrificing on his behalf.'"

Imam Abu Dawud also narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, this is from You, for You, and on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah (community). In the Name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest," and he then slaughtered the animal.

The textual evidence here lies in the fact that our Master, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), offered a sacrifice on behalf of his entire community—and it is well-established that his community includes those who have already passed away.

Furthermore, there is an abundance of sacred texts demonstrating that the rewards of righteous deeds reach the deceased. For instance, it is permissible to fast on behalf of a deceased person who passed away with missed obligatory fasts, and it is equally permissible to perform Hajj on their behalf, both of which are firmly established in authentic Hadiths. Therefore, if the reward of fasting (which is a purely physical act of worship) and Hajj (which is a joint physical and financial act of worship) can reach the deceased, then the reward of an Udhiyah reaches them with greater reason (by way of A Fortiori argument). This is because it is a purely financial act of worship, falling under the general category of charity (Sadaqah).

Additionally, scholars have reached a consensus (Ijma') that the rewards of charity reach the deceased, and since the Udhiyah is inherently an act of charity, it falls under the same ruling. Consequently, based on all the aforementioned evidence, we hold the view that offering a sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is entirely permissible. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

My father has debts and asked me to repay them years ago, and I promised him I would do so upon his death — is it permissible for me to go back on my promise given that I am unable to repay them, especially since he refuses to contribute to repayment on the grounds that the debt has become my responsibility by virtue of my promise?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

The established principle is that a father's debt is to be repaid from his own wealth, if he possesses sufficient means. As for the promise made by the son to repay it on his father's behalf, fulfilling such a promise is strongly recommended, and breaking it is considerably disliked. Shaykh al-Islām Imām al-Nawawī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "Fulfilling a promise is emphatically recommended, and breaking it is severely disliked. The evidences for this from the Qurʾān and the Sunnah are well known." [Rawḍat al-Ṭālibīn,Vol. 2/P.278] Shaykh al-Islām Imām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī, may Allah have mercy upon him, further states: "The reason fulfilling a promise is not obligatory and breaking it is not forbidden is that a promise is in the nature of a gift, and a gift does not become binding except upon receipt." [Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib,Vol. 2/P.487]

Given that the son does not possess the financial means to fulfil his promise to his father, breaking this promise falls beyond his capacity — and Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. Since the father himself possesses sufficient wealth to settle his own debt, repayment must be made from his own funds. Should he pass away before doing so, the debt is to be settled from his estate. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on someone who is uncertain whether he omitted one of the ab‘āḍ of the prayer, such as being uncertain whether he omitted the first tashahhud?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

The ab‘āḍ include the middle tashahhud and the qunūt in Fajr prayer — for which sujūd as-sahw (the prostration of forgetfulness) is prescribed if left out. Whoever is uncertain, during the prayer, whether he omitted one of these elements, should proceed on the assumption that he did not perform it, and should perform sujūd as-sahw accordingly.

It is stated in ‘Umdat as-Sālik (p. 63): "If he is uncertain... whether he omitted a specific ab‘āḍ element, or whether he performed sujūd as-sahw, or whether he prayed three or four rak‘ahs — he proceeds on the assumption that he did not do it, and performs sujūd as-sahw."

The original principle (al-aṣl) for someone uncertain about [having performed] the first tashahhud is that he assumes he did not perform it. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

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The Final Act of the Fourth Iftaa' Forum Entitled "The Role of Islamic Culture in Forming Individuals and Societies"

Author : The General Iftaa` Department

Date Added : 15-11-2017

The Final Act of the Fourth Iftaa' Forum Entitled "The Role of Islamic Culture in Forming Individuals and

Societies"

On the occasion of choosing Amman as The Capital of Islamic Culture/2017 by The Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), the General Iftaa' Department held The Fourth Scientific Forum entitled "The Role of Islamic Culture in Forming Individuals and Societies" on 14/11/2017 in collaboration with Ministries of Education, Culture, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and the Supreme Judge Department.

The generous sponsorship of the Forum by his Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad was appreciated by the attendants and they remembered the Hashemite efforts as well as the anniversary of the late king Hussein(May Allah have mercy on his soul) in enhancing the values of Islamic culture, which is based on tolerance, through building the modern Jordan, which rests on principles and constants, in addition to showing the bright picture of Islam.

The participants have come up with the following suggestions and recommendations:

First: The Islamic culture is the spirit of the nation of divine revelation, connected to the Prophecy of Mohammad and extended through the whole world and for all people. Yet, it is not meant for a certain party, sect, country or geography. On the contrary, the Islamic culture has eliminated all differences while preserving the constants of Islam and the Arab world.

Second: The aforementioned culture highlighted the meaning of freedom, eliminated slavery, protected the poor and depressed reflecting the most advanced concept of culture.

Third: The Islamic culture in Jordan adopts the concept of moderation and the methodology highlighting the bright image of Islam and its tolerant values founded by the Hashemite Family since the constitution of Jordan. In addition, it is linked with the roots of the nation and the Hashemite descendants of the Prophet(Peace be upon him).

Fourth: The Islamic culture in Jordan is compatible with the Islamic religion and the teachings of the Prophets who passed by Jordan. Therefore, this culture has to be applied.

Fifth: The aforementioned culture should be based on innovation that motivates people to make reform and accomplishment, and this can be achieved through enhancing the Islamic cultural programs at all levels: educational, social, political and media.

Sixth: Calling for continued cooperation amongst institutions entrusted with cultural activities and turning it into fieldwork. This can be done through implementing ideas that touch upon the core function of the afore organizations.

Seventh: Promoting Islamic culture is a joint responsibility that should be shouldered, on the individual level, by every Muslim. On organization level, it should be shouldered by universities, schools, Masjids, libraries, research centers, cultural societies, elite groups and social activities.

Eighth: Increasing cultural awareness, tying it with Islamic values of tolerance, and advancing this culture through institutional partnerships and available means, constitute the safety valve for society, protecting it against extreme views and maintaining its peace and stability.

Nine: Promoting the value of the "Role Model" in the Muslim society, tying it with its deeply-rooted heritage and values, preparing future generations to have a sense of responsibility towards the challenges facing their nation to adapt with the emerging cultural issues on basis of openness and renewability.

Tenth: Governmental and non-governmental organizations along with all members of society should participate in the advancement of the Muslim nation, and enhancing the true values of Islamic culture in fulfilling the divine command where Allah has enjoined Muslims to deliver the message of Islam by lawful means and in the most correct and respectable manners.

Eleventh: Calling upon national institutions to reflect the Islamic-cultural identity of the city of Amman, in particular, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in general, addressing future generations through promoting the themes of the Amman Message, the message of tolerace, adopting its values and applying them in everyday life. This is in addition to applying the values embodied in the initiative "Kalima Sawa`" so that we reach safety by creating a society that is conscious, tolerant and accepts the other. And all perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds.

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on wiping over socks?

It is not permissible to wipe over most common socks today because the conditions for wiping are not met. The concession was reported for wiping over leather socks (khuff) and socks (jowrab) with conditions: They must be thick, not allowing poured water to penetrate, enable one to walk in them, be worn while in a state of purity (from ablution), cover the entire foot up to the ankles (meaning covering the protruding ankle bones), and not be torn. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on a mother giving the Zakat of her wealth to her children?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.

It is permissible for a mother to give her children from the Zakat if they are among those who are eligible for it—such as being poor (Fuqara), possessing no wealth, and not being sufficiently provided for by the maintenance (Nafaqah) of others. This is based on the statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ regarding Zaynab, the wife of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with them both): (Your husband and your children are the most deserving of those upon whom you spend in charity) [Narrated by Al-Bukhari].

It is stated in [Al-Hawi al-Kabir, Vol. 8/P.537]: 'As for the wife, it is permissible for her to pay her Zakat to her husband from all the designated shares... Our evidence is the generality of the saying of Allah the Almighty: "Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy", and the Hadith of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet ﷺ said to Zaynab, the wife of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: (Your husband and your children are the most deserving of those upon whom you spend), and this is taken in its general sense.' And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on following the actions of the imam in prayer and how this following is achieved?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.

The follower (ma'mum) is required to follow his imam in the actions of the prayer. This "following" (mutaba'ah) means that the follower performs each action of the prayer after the imam has begun it but before he has finished it. For example, the follower bows (in ruku') after the imam has reached the position of bowing, then rises after the imam has risen. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The imam is only appointed to be followed, so when he says the takbir, say the takbir; and when he bows, then bow; and when he prostrates, then prostrate" (agreed upon, i.e., reported by both al-Bukhari and Muslim).

It is stated in Mughni al-Muhtaj (1/505): "Among the conditions of valid congregational prayer (iqtida') is following the imam in the actions of the prayer... meaning that following the imam is obligatory in the physical actions of the prayer, not in its verbal utterances... Complete following (kamal al-mutaba'ah) is achieved when the follower's beginning of an action comes after the imam's beginning of that same action, while the follower's beginning of the action precedes the imam's completion of it" — end of quote, with slight paraphrasing.

And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the monetary value for the expiation of an oath (Kaffarat al-Yamin)?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.

The expiation for an oath (Kaffarat al-Yamin) consists of feeding ten (10) needy persons. This is estimated at 600 grams of rice per person. It is also permissible to pay its value in cash, which is estimated at one dinar (per person). And Allah the Exalted knows best.