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"The Role of Religious Discourse in Curbing the Scourge of Drugs"
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 09-11-2022

"The Role of Religious Discourse in Curbing the Scourge of Drugs"

 

In cooperation with the Iftaa` Department, the Directorate of Public Security organized a symposium under the title "The Role of Religious Discourse in Curbing the Scourge of Drugs," Sunday, 6th of Nov. 2022. This symposium is a part of a series of education and awareness-raising activities launched by the Directorate to protect the community from the scourge of drugs.

Grand Mufti Sheikh AbdulKareem Al-Khasawneh, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh, Director of Public Security Maj. Gen. Obeidullah Al-Ma`aytah, the representative of the Chief Justice Dr. Sameeh Al-Zou`bi, and the representative of the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Father Elias Barakat attended this symposium, which was held in King Hussein Cultural Centre.

The symposium discussed the importance and the influential role of the religious discourse in disseminating knowledge, raising awareness on the dangers of drugs, uniting the community in combating the evils of drugs as well as traffickers and dealers who seek to make unlawful gains at the expense of the security of the community and the safety of its members.

The Grand Mufti said that Shariah came to preserve the five necessities: religion, life, intellect, lineage, and wealth, and warned that whatever harms these necessities is prohibited. The drugs is the most evil of menaces as it causes the loss of religion, destroys life, intellects, lineage and wealth. Therefore, it is our national and religious duty to combat this dangerous phenomenon.

On his part, the Minister of Awqaf stressed the importance of faith in fortifying the individual and motivating him/her to avoid whatever is in violation of Sharia and destroys the intellect. In addition, he pointed that the participatory roles played by the Ministry of Awqaf, through Friday sermons, religious lessons, preaching, and guidance, are a religious duty that aims to protect the community and strengthen its security in an integrated framework; especially when it comes to combating drugs.

On his part, the representative of the Chief Justice spoke about the devastating impact caused by drugs leading to the breakup of families and damaging community, which requires enhancing the religious discourse to combat the dangers of drugs and develop solutions to curb this obstacle.

On his part, the representative of the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox explained that the church is keen on guiding its subjects towards the ways of goodness and love and avoiding whatever deforms God`s creation on the physical, psychological, and spiritual levels. This includes raising awareness on the dangers of drugs, ways of prevention, and developing the minds of the youth to create healthy generations.

The Director of Iftaa and guidance in the Directorate of Public Security Colonel Dr. Samer Al-Hawamleh expressed keenness on cementing partnerships and bridges of cooperation with various religious institutions in Jordan in support for the efforts to curb the spread of drugs and other negative and crime phenomena. This goes beyond the traditional security measures employing preventive roles that help enhance community`s safety and stability.

The symposium included specialized discussions and research papers that shed light on the elements and foundations of the religious discourse guided to serve the community and keep abreast of its needs and phenomena; particularly the problem of drugs, which requires joining efforts and roles showing that it is harmful, prohibited and must be combatted.

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What should one do if they see someone deliberately eating or drinking openly during Ramadan?

They must enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. If they fear harm from that person, they should disapprove of it in their heart but avoid sitting with them if possible. It is also preferable to seek the help of the authorities to prevent them from doing so.

How should I deal with the whispers of the devil with regard to ablution and purity?

Whispers in ablution are from the devil, and so you should take refuge in Allah from the devil`s evil suggestions that aim to distort the religion. Thus, once an organ is completely pure, don`t question its purity since having whispers doesn`t mean that the purity is invalid as it has already been established.

What is the ruling on offering a sheep as a sacrifice (Udhiyah) if its fat-tail is sound, except that when it was young, the tip of its fat-tail was cut so that it would grow larger? And what is the ruling in case of doubt regarding the amount that was cut?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Cutting a minor, insignificant portion from the tip of an animal's fat-tail (al-alyah) to encourage it to grow larger is not considered a defect, and it does not prevent the animal from being valid for sacrifice (Udhiyah).
 
It is stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol.9/P.352): "There is some scholarly deliberation regarding the common practice of cutting the tip of the fat-tail so that it grows larger. It could potentially be likened to a partial cut of the ear—supported by the jurists' general rule: 'even if it is a small amount.' On the other hand, if it is an exceptionally minor cut, it might have no effect on validity. This is explicitly clarified by the juristic exception to the general rule, which states that cutting a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm. This latter view is more well-founded.
 
Furthermore, I found that some scholars investigated this matter and concluded: 'It should not affect validity if a custom-sanctioned portion of its fat-tail is removed during its youth to make it grow larger and look better, just as castrating a male animal causes no harm.' However, applying this unconditionally contradicts the established texts of the jurists, as understood from what I have laid out; thus, the restriction I specified is what must be relied upon."
 
Similarly, it is mentioned in Nihayat al-Muhtaj (8/135): "If a small piece is cut from the fat-tail to help it grow larger, the most well-founded view is that the sacrifice remains valid, as was given in a formal legal verdict (Fatwa) by my father [Shihab al-Din al-Ramli], may Allah be pleased with him. This is proven by the jurists' maxim: 'The loss of a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm.'"
 
In cases where there is doubt as to whether the portion cut was large or small, the animal is still deemed valid for sacrifice. It is noted in Hashiyat al-Shubramallisi ‘ala Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol.8/P.135):
 
"This matter requires careful consideration, but the closer and more correct view is that it is valid. This is because soundness is the default state for the animal from which the piece was cut, and it aligns with what usually occurs—namely, that the part removed to help the fat-tail grow larger is naturally very small." And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What are the Sunnahs and etiquettes recommended for the person offering the Udhiyah?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
There are several Sunnahs (prophetic traditions) and etiquettes that are highly recommended for the person offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) to observe:
 
First:
It is a Sunnah for anyone intending to offer a sacrifice to refrain from cutting or removing any of their hair or nails once the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah begin. This is based on the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "When the ten days [of Dhul-Hijjah] begin and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not touch any of his hair or skin." (Narrated by Muslim)
 
However, if someone does happen to remove any hair or nails, they have not committed a sin, and their sacrifice remains perfectly valid.
 
Second:
The person offering the sacrifice should ideally slaughter the animal themselves. If they are unable to do so, they should at least witness its slaughter. This is drawn from what our Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), said to Lady Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her):
 
"Stand up and witness your sacrifice, for with its very first drop of blood, every sin you have committed will be forgiven." (Narrated by Al-Tabarani in his Mu'jam, Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, and Al-Bayhaqi in his Sunan)
 
Third:
Face the Qiblah (the direction of prayer) at the time of slaughtering, as the Qiblah is the most honorable of directions.
 
Fourth:
Pronounce the name of Allah (Tasmiyah) at the moment of slaughter by saying: "Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim" (In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). Even if one forgets to say it, the meat remains lawful (Halal) to eat. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, says:
 
"So eat of that [meat] upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned." (Al-An'am: 118)
 
It is also recommended to send blessings upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and to follow it with the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar).
 
Fifth:
Supplicate for acceptance by saying: "Allahumma hadhihi minka wa ilayka, fa-taqabbal minni" (O Allah, this is a blessing from You and is offered back to You, so please accept it from me). This means: This sacrifice is a blessing that originated from You, and I am offering it to draw closer to You. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.