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 doubting whether one or two prostrations were performed?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If a worshiper is in doubt regarding the number of units (rak'ahs) or prostrations (sajdahs) performed, he must build upon the minimum (i.e., assume the lower number) and perform the prostration of forgetfulness (Sujud al-Sahw) before the Salam at the end of the prayer. This is based on the report from ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'When anyone of you is in doubt about his Salat (prayer) and does not know how many he has prayed, three or four (Rak'at) he should cast aside his doubt and base his prayer on what he is sure of. Then, he should perform two prostrations before Taslim (salutation). If he has prayed five Rak'at, they will make his Salat (prayer) an even number for him and if he has prayed exactly four, they (i.e. two prostrations) will be humiliation for the devil..' (Narrated by Abu Dawud).
 
It is stated in Al-Muqaddimah al-Hadramiyyah: 'If one doubts [whether he performed] a bowing (ruku’), a prostration, or a rak'ah, he must perform it and prostrate [for forgetfulness], even if the doubt is removed before the Salam—unless the doubt is removed before he performs what would potentially be an addition. Thus, if he doubts whether he prayed three or four, he is obligated to build upon the minimum.' And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on eating or drinking forgetfully while observing the kaffarah fasting?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If someone eats or drinks out of forgetfulness while fasting, it is simply that Allah has fed them and given them drink. Their fast is not broken by this; rather, they should continue fasting. This ruling applies whether the fast is an obligatory one (like Ramadan), a make-up fast (Qada), an expiation (Kaffarah), or a voluntary (Nafal) fast. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on combining more than one intention in the prayer, such as combining the *sunnah* of wuḍūʾ with the pre-Dhuhr *sunnah*, or combining the *sunnah* of greeting the mosque (*taḥiyyat al-masjid*) with the pre-Dhuhr *sunnah*?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
Combining two intentions in a single act of worship, which some jurists call the “overlapping of acts of worship”, has several cases and precise rules. These can be consulted in the books of legal maxims, such as al-Manthūr fī al-Qawāʿid al-Fiqhiyyah by al-Zarkashī and al-Ashbāh wa’l-Naẓāʾir by al-Suyūṭī. Among the most important of these rules:
First: If all of the acts of worship that one wishes to combine under one intention are obligatory, the intentions do not overlap. An example is combining the intention of the obligatory ʿAṣr prayer with that of the obligatory Dhuhr prayer. The intentions do not overlap in this case.
Second: If the two acts are specified supererogatory prayers (nawāfil muqayyadah) that are aimed at in themselves because of a particular time, occasion, or cause, or if they are an obligatory prayer and a specified supererogatory prayer, the intentions again do not overlap. An example is the Duha prayer, which may not be combined with, for instance, the regular sunnah of Dhuhr.
It is stated in Bushrā al-Karīm: “Whatever is not, in meaning, an absolute voluntary prayer, such as the Duha sunnah… is not subsumed under another. Rather, if he intends something else along with it… the prayer is not validly entered. This is because combining two obligations, two specified supererogatory prayers, or an obligation and a specified supererogatory prayer invalidates the prayer in cases not built upon overlapping, as ritual purification (ṭahārah) is.”
Third: If the two acts are absolute voluntary prayers (nawāfil muṭlaqah), or one of them is, where the texts of the Sharīʿah show that the aim of the voluntary act is to fill the time with worship, then overlapping of intentions is permissible. An example is the obligatory Dhuhr prayer together with the sunnah of greeting the mosque (taḥiyyat al-masjid). And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it obligatory to have an intention (niyyah) for every prayer?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is obligatory for the worshiper to have a specific intention (Niyyah) for every prayer, meaning they must consciously intend the act of worship they are performing. The intention is a pillar (Rukn) of the prayer, and the prayer is not valid without it. It is not a requirement to utter the intention verbally; rather, doing so is considered a recommended Sunnah. And Allah the Exalted knows best.