Department`s Vision:

"To be a leading Islamic authority in the "Fatwa Industry" and legal research and to introduce them to individuals, governmental and non-governmental organizations at the local, regional and international levels.

 

Department`s Message:

"Delivering Allah`s Message and cementing the concept of moderate Islamic religious authority responsible for clarifying the rulings of Sharia and inviting people to act on them. This can be achieved through issuing Fatwas on general and specific matters, paying more attention to Fiqh encyclopedias and Islamic manuscripts, conducting studies and legal research and cementing the foundations of collective Ijtihad in cooperation with the scholars of the Muslim World; using different types of modern communication."

 

 

Department`s Core Values:

 

Dimension Value

Dedication at work to please Allah and honesty in delivering tasks.

Dedication and Honesty               

Cementing the concept of moderation in society when fulfilling the higher objectives of Sharia without exaggeration in religious matters or extremism.

Moderation                                    

Cementing the culture of teamwork and establishing teams capable of accomplishing the vision, message and objectives of the Fatwa Dept.

Institutional Work                           

Directness in dealing with society and shouldering responsibility.

Transparency and Responsibility                 

Applying the concepts of distinction on performance elements at the Dept. through dedicated work to achieve the best and most accurate of outcomes. 

Distinction                                             

Ongoing development of the Dept. and staff to provide the best service in the "Fatwa Industry" and legal research.

Ongoing Development                         

 

 

Key Institutional Objectives of the Department: 

In accordance with article (3) of the Iftaa` Law/2006, the objectives of the General Fatwa Department are as follows:

 

1. Supervising and organizing of Fatwa affairs in the Kingdom.

 

2. Issuing Fatwas on general and specific matters in accordance with the provisions of this law.

 

3. Preparing of the required research papers and Islamic studies on important matters and emerging issues.

 

4. Producing a periodic specialist academic journal concerned with the publication of reviewed academic research papers in Shari'ah and Islamic sciences and related fields.

 

5. Cooperating with scholars of Islamic law in the Kingdom and outside it as regards Fatwa affairs.

 

6. Offering opinions and advice in matters presented to it by state agencies.

 

 

Summarized Fatawaa

What is the meaning of the Prophetic statement that a boy is held in pledge (murtahan) for his 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The first interpretation: That if the boy dies in infancy without an 'aqīqah having been performed on his behalf, he will not intercede for his parents on the Day of Resurrection. This is the position of Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, and Imam al-Khaṭṭābī concurred with him, stating: "The finest of what has been said regarding this matter is the position adopted by Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal." — [Fatḥ al-Bārī by Ibn Ḥajar,{Vol.9/P.594]
The second interpretation: That the child is likened to a pledged object (marhūn) — one from which full benefit and enjoyment cannot be derived until it is redeemed. A blessing is only made complete upon the one blessed when they fulfil the obligation of gratitude (shukr), and the prescribed expression of gratitude for this particular blessing is what the Prophet ﷺ established as Sunnah — namely, the slaughtering of the 'aqīqah on behalf of the newborn as an act of thankfulness to Allah the Almighty and as a supplication for the wellbeing and safety of the child. This is the position of Mullā 'Alī al-Qārī. See: [Mirqāt al-Mafātīḥ Sharḥ Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, Vol.7/P.2688]
And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for a pious Muslim woman to stay with her husband who had quit praying out of laziness?

Quitting prayer is one of the major grave sins that come after disbelieving in Allah, but the wife of such a person isn`t considered divorced, rather, she should exert all her efforts in order to bring him back to the way of Islam. However, if his sin is likely to lure her from the way of Islam, then she had better separate from him by lawful means such as Mokhal`aa (When a wife pays a compensation for her husband in return for divorcing her). Moreover, if she exercises patience, and remains steadfast on her faith, then there is no harm in doing that.

What is the amount of food to be given to a needy person for fidyah and kaffarah?

The amount of food to be given to a needy person is 600 grams of wheat or rice.
According to the Hanafi school, it is permissible to give the monetary equivalent instead, and this is the ruling issued by the General Iftaa` Department.

Is a person rewarded for refraining from all that breaks their fast when required to do so, and is it considered a valid fast?

If a person eats or drinks thinking that Fajr has not yet arrived, but then someone informs them that Fajr had already begun, they must refrain from eating for the rest of the day and make up the fast later.
If they observe the required restraint (imsak), they will be rewarded for obeying the command because fulfilling an obligation brings reward.
However, this is not considered a valid fast in terms of rulings. For example:
● It is not disliked (makruh) for them to use a miswak after noon.
● They are not encouraged to hasten the breaking of the fast at sunset.
● Other fasting-related rulings do not apply to them.