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Caution and Verification are behind the Delay in Issuing Fatwa
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 12-07-2023

Caution and Verification are behind the Delay in Issuing Fatwa

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

In clarification for what was published by the news website "Saraya" under the title: "The Iftaa` Department Delays Issuing a Fatwa Regarding Foods, Believed to be Forbidden, Consumed by Jordanians" the writer wonders about the justifications for the delay in providing an answer to this issue!

Regarding this matter, the General Iftaa` Department clarifies that the delay in providing an answer is not a form of procrastination, as initially stated in the title. Rather, it is following the noble prophetic approach of caution and thoroughness before issuing the Fatwa since Allah will hold the Department accountable for it. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Deliberateness is from Allah, and haste is from Satan." (Transmitted by At-Tirmidhi).

 

This prophetic approach is the direct reason for controlling the Fatwa and preventing it from deviating towards extremism or leniency, safeguarding it from error and danger. Moreover, it ensures that the Mufti is cleared from liability before Allah on the Day of Judgment, especially in delicate and intricate matters such as the issue of the ingredients used in the food industry.

 

It is an issue related to hundreds of diverse products that affect the lives of all Muslims. Thousands of companies and factories oversee these products, each with its own manufacturing and composition methods. The knowledgeable jurist is the one who distinguishes and contemplates whether a transformative "impossibility" has occurred in the substance's composition, or if mere "consumption and immersion" is sufficient, as some jurists have stated. This has been the subject of decisions by specialized jurisprudential assemblies.

 

This matter requires a great deal of Ijtihad (Independent reasoning) and consideration of advancements in industries and sciences today. Thus, the Iftaa` Department sought the guidance of specialized official institutions, such as the General Organization for Food and Drug Administration, to inquire about similar issues within the scope of this research.

 

However, anyone who believes that a Fatwa is an improvised political statement or a media sound bite has misconceived the principles of Islamic Law, which aims to uphold the interests of individuals and prevent harm from befalling them. May Allah have mercy on the Islamic scholars who have bequeathed to us the humility of saying, "I don't know." They were not driven by shyness or arrogance to withhold knowledge from its rightful owners or delay issuing a Fatwa. As the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever seeks the pleasure of people by displeasing Allah, Allah will be displeased with him, and people will be displeased with him." (Transmitted by Ibn Hibban).

 

We advise the media to not hinder scientific institutions from carrying out their work with caution and excellence, especially the religious institutions responsible for issuing Fatwas and religious knowledge.

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

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 the ablution of one who washes his arms from the wrist to the elbows?

In the school of Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him), washing the arms (hands) is achieved by washing the arms completely, from the fingertips to the elbows. Washing only the palms at the beginning is insufficient, as washing them at the beginning is a Sunnah, but after washing the face, it becomes obligatory (fard). The person performing ablution must wash his palms along with the arms after washing the face. If he does not wash his palms, his ablution is invalid and not correct. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it recommended (mustaḥabb) for the one offering  a voluntary sacrifice (uḍḥiyyat taṭawwuʿ) to eat from its meat?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is highly recommended (Mustahabb) for the person offering a voluntary Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) to eat from its meat, but it is not an obligatory requirement (Wajib). Allah the Almighty says {what means}: "So eat of them and feed the needy who do not beg and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful." (Al-Hajj/ 36)
 
"So eat of them": This directive is an encouraging recommendation, not a binding command.
 
The Qani’ (the needy who do not beg): Refers to a poor person who refrains from asking people for help out of dignity.
 
The Mu’tarr (the beggar): Refers to a poor person who explicitly asks others for assistance. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What is the wisdom and purpose behind the 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
Among the wisdoms and purposes of the 'aqīqah are the following:
First: Expressing joy at the blessing of Allah the Almighty, rejoicing in the newborn, and giving thanks to Allah for this gift. Allah the Almighty says (what means): "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you." [Ibrāhīm/7]
Second: Proclaiming and publicising the lineage (nasab) of the child — and the 'aqīqah serves as an appropriate and fitting means to this end.
Third: Gladdening the hearts of family members, relatives, friends, and the poor by gathering them together over a shared meal. And Allah Almighty knows best.

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