Articles

World Interfaith Harmony Week
Author : His Grace Shiekh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Date Added : 29-03-2022

World Interfaith Harmony Week

 

By Grand Mufti,

Sheikh AbdulKareem Al-Khasawneh

 

Grand Mufti`s Statement during the Celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week

 

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and may the blessings of Allah be upon our Master the Hashemite Arab Prophet and upon all his companions and whoever followed their path till the Day of Judgment:

On this blessed day, we celebrate "The World Interfaith Harmony Week" that was launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II in the first week of February to be an annual season to harvest the good and blessed fruits of the tree he had planted; under whose shades the world took shelter to enjoy peace and security. Religious thinkers and believers have watered and took care of this tree. Being the tree of love and harmony, it wouldn`t produce but good, peace, and stability for the whole world; spread love, and eliminated hatred and animosity. This is particularly true since it was planted by pure Hashemite hands that draw their blessings and strength from their direct connection to the Prophet Mohammad who was sent as mercy to all creations. Allah says (What means): "And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists)." [al-Anbiya' 21:107].

Muslims and Christians of this blessed country (Jordan) have always been and always will be a unique model of human brotherhood, harmony, and peaceful coexistence. Through their national belonging and religious doctrine, adherents of both faiths strive to preserve Jordan, and instill values of citizenship in its citizens. In their noble quest to build Jordan, they united under the flag of the Hashemites to which they have pledged allegiance and swore loyalty. Thus, this flag was embraced by hearts before pledges, and protected by souls before weapons,. This is because it is blessed and has spread justice and all that is good to the people of Jordan. Enlightened by the following verse : " We have honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our creation." A-Isra`, 70}, this flag sought to preserve the honor and dignity of all Jordanians as human beings. By doing so, it established the relationship between Jordanians on the basis of equal rights and obligations. This concept is based on a key principle of Islamic Law reflected in the following verse: "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you." {Al-Hujurat, 13}.

This blessed Week came to present to the whole world the true universal message of Islam, which calls for spreading love and harmony between people. This fact is the true, divine, eternal constitution governing the relationship between Muslims and followers of other faiths regardless of time, place, or circumstances. A fact and a law so precious that it should be written with letters from light and lines from gold, and will be alive in the Muslim nation`s conscience and doctrine till the Day of Judgment. It is manifested in the following verse: "God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loveth those who are just." {Al-Mumtahinah, 8}. This verse is pretty clear in determining that the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims is based on a great matter: showing kindness to others before justice and showing love to them to be rewarded with the love of Allah. Dear respectable audience, behold how Almighty Allah addressed non-Muslims with the kindest of words that bring hearts together: "O people of the Book!" and "Those who have received the scripture." This is used in about sixty places throughout the Noble Quran, and this form of address shows a great deal of respect and appreciation to the addressees, because attributing the Book to a nation means attributing science and knowledge to it.

Accordingly, being a nation of goodness; as described by Allah, and moderation; as chosen by Allah, it is the responsibility of the Muslim nation to complete the mission of the Prophets and Messengers, and to be the last building block of human civilization. All of this dictates that the Muslim nation leaves no stone unturned to spread goodness, love, and harmony amongst people, and establish ties between them based on harmony and knowing each other; of course in light of the divine rules derived from the Quran and the guidance of the Chosen One; Prophet Mohammad (Peace and blessings be upon him). This task was undertaken by the Hashemite family emanating from their religious and national responsibility to portray the correct and luminous image of Islam to stop the extremists, terrorists, and sedition mongers from hijacking Islam and abusing the faith through exaggeration and strictness. The result, as witnessed by the whole world, a wave of terrorist and extremist acts in the name of Islam undermining world peace and security, in addition to destroying societies and countries.

Thanks to Allah and the tight ties amongst the Jordanians, we managed to overcome that wave of extremist and Takfiri groups. Holding fast to our true religion, Hashemite flag, and peaceful coexistence gave no room for such groups.

We ask Allah to bless our country with peace and security under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and to bless the whole world with permanent love, peace, and harmony, as Allah loves and pleases. And all praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.

 

 

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What are the conditions for a valid Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
First: The age of the animal must meet the Sharia requirements. These requirements vary depending on the type of sacrifice:
 
Camels: Must have completed five years and entered their sixth.
 
Cows: Must have completed two years and entered their third.
 
Goats: Must have completed two years and entered their third. As for Sheep, they must have completed one year and entered their second.
 
Some scholars have permitted goats that have completed one year and entered their second.
 
The Hanafi school, along with an opinion in the Maliki school, permits sacrificing sheep that are at least six months old, provided they are healthy and physically substantial. According to the Shafi’i school, it is permissible if the sheep sheds its front teeth (ajdha') before reaching one year [Al-Iqna’, by Al-Shirbini (Vol.2/P.588)].
 
Second: Soundness and freedom from defects. The animal must be free from any defect that causes a decrease in its meat or market value. This is based on the hadith narrated by Al-Bara' bin 'Azib, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
 
"Four [defects] are not permissible in sacrifices: A one-eyed animal whose blindness is evident, a sick animal whose illness is evident, a lame animal whose lameness is evident, and an emaciated animal that has no marrow in its bones." [Reported by Abu Dawood and Al-Tirmidhi, who graded it as authentic].
 
These defects are detailed as follows:
 
Evident Lameness: It is not permissible to sacrifice a lame animal if the lameness is severe enough to prevent it from walking to the pasture or seeking food, as this leads to a decrease in its meat. However, slight lameness that does not hinder its grazing is overlooked.
 
Evident Blindness (One-eyed): It is not permissible to sacrifice a sheep, cow, or camel that has a white film over its eye blocking light, or one that has lost an eye entirely. Weak vision that does not affect its ability to eat does not prevent the sacrifice from being valid.
 
Evident Illness: An animal with a clear sickness that prevents it from eating or moving is not valid. This includes severe mange (Jarab) that spoils the meat.
 
Extreme Emaciation: An animal so thin that there is no marrow left in its bones is invalid. The standard for emaciation that invalidates the sacrifice is that which spoils the quality of the meat to the point that people would find it undesirable even in times of plenty.
 
Additional Considerations:
These are the defects mentioned in the Prophetic tradition, and any defect that causes emaciation or reduces the meat or value is compared to them by analogy. This includes animals that are mentally unstable (diseased), those with mange, or those with a missing ear. In contrast, a slit or pierced ear does not affect the validity of the sacrifice. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on swallowing phlegm while fasting?

If a fasting person intentionally swallows phlegm, their fast is invalid, as it is possible to avoid it.
However, if they swallow it unintentionally, their fast remains valid.
Phlegm is impure and should be avoided.

When is a child instructed to fast?

A child is instructed to fast at the age of seven if they are capable of fasting and have reached the age of discernment, by analogy to prayer. They should be encouraged but not forced, so they can become accustomed to it. It is obligatory for their guardian, whether a father or another, to instruct them.

What is the ruling on performing istinja' with perfumed tissues or a tissue moistened with water?

Performing istinja' with perfumed or moistened tissues is not sufficient if they are not dry, due to the moisture on them reaching the impurity, which increases its spread rather than reducing it. Then, to remove the impurity, one must use pure water. And Allah the Almighty knows best.