Articles

Statement on the Cultural and Scientific Events
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 18-06-2023

Statement on the Cultural and Scientific Events

 

The General Iftaa` Department keeps track of cultural and scientific events in various fields, especially Sharia because thought, culture and science are at the center of our Arab-Islamic culture, which has paved the way for guiding minds and ordered people to reflect upon this universe. Allah the Almighty says {what means}: "Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition." {Az-Zumar, 9}. In addition, the first verse revealed to Mohammad was: " Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created-" {Al-Alaq, 1}. This indicates Islam's interest in science, thought and the enlightening minds and hearts.

The Iftaa` Department issued many Fatwas urging Jordanians to pay more attention to mental sciences and raising their level as far as the  scientific field is concerned. It also showed that Islam respects civilized dialogue based on wisdom and beautiful preaching. Allah the Almighty says {What means}: " Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious" {An-Nahil, 125}. Islam also provided ample space for dialogue and constructive criticism, but all of this is conditional on applying the etiquette of civilized disagreement, showing respect to the religious feelings of others, and not tampering with sanctities that enjoy the religious respect of the people. This is since intellectual renewal does not mean challenging beliefs, showing contempt for religions, and questioning them.

 

The Department confirms that this blessed country of ours led by the wise Hashemite leadership, which took the responsibility of showing the luminous image of Islam through "The Amman Message" and respecting faiths through "Kalima Sawa`", is distinguished with authentic culture and constitutional values derived from Islam and represent moderation and rejecting terrorism and extremism. It is not acceptable, no matter what the case maybe, to abuse religions or undermine religious values and constants. We are of the view that holding conferences and seminars that abuse sanctities and undermine intellectual and societal security doesn`t express the acceptable freedom of speech. Rather, this is transgression against others and their values.

 

The Department warns against trials and tribulations and activities that address religious constants for they could be interpreted, or misunderstood in a manner that could undermine the social fabric.

 

May Allah protect Jordan and its Hashemite leadership and may peace and stability prevail in Jordan and other Muslim countries.

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on making up missed prayers during prohibited times?

 

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to make up (qada’) missed prayers at any time, even during the periods when prayer is generally prohibited. The prayers that are forbidden and considered invalid during these times are 'absolute voluntary prayers' (nafl mutlaq)—which have no specific cause—and voluntary prayers whose cause follows the prayer itself, such as the Sunnah of entering Ihram or the Sunnah of the Istikharah prayer. Furthermore, no prayer is considered disliked (makruh) during these prohibited times when performed within the Meccan Sanctuary (Makkah al-Mukarramah).
 
It is stated in Bushra al-Karim (Vol.1/P.181), one of the Shafi’i texts: 'It is not forbidden to perform prayers that have a cause that is not delayed (i.e., the cause is preceding), such as making up a missed prayer (fa’itah)—even if it was a voluntary one—and the funeral prayer (janazah); or a cause that is simultaneous, such as the prayer for rain (istisqa’) or the eclipse prayer (kusuf)... and the Sunnah of wudu, the greeting of the mosque (tahiyyat al-masjid), the Sunnah of circumambulation (tawaf), the Sunnah of arrival, and the prostrations of recitation (tilawah) or thankfulness (shukr). These mentioned prayers and their like are not forbidden provided that one does not specifically intend (ta'ammud) to perform them during the disliked time because it is a disliked time. If one does so intentionally, it becomes forbidden, even if it is a mandatory makeup prayer that is due immediately; because in that case, one is acting in defiance of the Sharia. This is in contrast to when one does not specifically seek out that time, even if the prayer happens to fall within it, or if one seeks it for another purpose—such as delaying a funeral prayer to that time so that a larger number of people may pray over the deceased; in such cases, it is permissible and valid... And it is forbidden to perform prayers with no cause at all, like absolute nafl, or those with a delayed cause, such as the Istikharah prayer, the prayer for Ihram, the prayer for a need (hajah), the prayer before leaving the house, or the prayer before execution; because their causes occur after the prayer itself.' And Allah the Exalted knows best."

What are the conditions for the validity of the slaughtering process according to Sharia?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Regarding the Sharia-mandated conditions for the validity of the slaughtering process (Adh-Dhabh), they are as follows:
 
The Identity of the Slaughterer: The person performing the slaughter must be either a Muslim or from the People of the Book (Christian or Jewish).
 
The Required Cuts: Both the trachea (windpipe/breathing passage) and the esophagus (food passage) must be completely severed.
 
Stability of Life: The animal must possess stable life at the start of the slaughtering process. This is identified by clear signs, such as vigorous movement or the forceful gushing of blood after the throat and esophagus are cut.
 
The Tool of Slaughter: The tool used must be sharp, capable of cutting or piercing by its edge and not by its sheer weight or blunt force.
 
And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it acceptable to perform the Aqiqah for a male child by slaughtering and distributing the first sheep, and bringing the second one cooked from the restaurant?

 

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

It is permissible to slaughter the first sheep with the intention of Aqiqah (the newborn's sacrificial offering) and distribute it entirely [uncooked], and to slaughter the second sheep and have it cooked at a restaurant to bring home for the household. However, it must be noted that it is obligatory to give some portion of the Aqiqah in charity to the poor, even if it is a small amount, though it is preferable to send the food cooked to them.

Buying a pre-cooked, ready-made sheep from a restaurant does not suffice as an Aqiqah. However, if an agreement is made with the restaurant to explicitly slaughter a sheep with the intention of Aqiqah for the newborn, and then cook it afterward, this is permissible.

In conclusion, slaughtering the sheep and distributing it with the intention of Aqiqah is permissible, and through it, the foundational prophetic tradition (Sunnah) is fulfilled. As for simply buying a cooked sheep from a restaurant that was not specifically slaughtered with the intention of Aqiqah, it will not count as such. Conversely, if the restaurant owner is commissioned (Wakala) to handle both the slaughtering and the cooking as an Aqiqah, it is valid. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

If a woman becomes pure from menstruation before the Fajr Adhan in Ramadan, is she required to fast?

If a woman becomes pure (from menstrual period) before the Fajr Adhan, she must fast, as the impediment preventing her from fasting has been removed. The Sharia maxim in this regard states: "When the impediment is removed, the obligation returns."
She should then make the intention to fast before Fajr and perform ghusl (ritual purification) for prayer, whether before or after Fajr.