Resolution No.(22/2014) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

 

"Instructions for Selecting Muftis, No. (2)/2008"

 

Answer: All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

 

During its fifth session held on (6/Rabee` Awal/1436 AH), corresponding to(28/12/2014), and based on Article(10) of the Iftaa` Law No.(60)/2006, the Board decided to issue instructions No.(2) for selecting Muftis in compliance with the amendment of the Iftaa` Law/2009, which stipulated making some adjustments  on instructions No.(1)/2008. Instructions No. (2) shall read as follows:

 

Article (1): 

These instructions shall be cited as "Instructions for Selecting Muftis, No. (2)/2008, issued by virtue of the Iftaa` Law No. (60)/2006," and shall come into effect after the date of its publication in the official Gazette.

 

Article (2):

The following words shall have the meanings hereunder assigned to them:

-The Department: General Iftaa` Department. 

-The Grand Mufti: Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

-The Council: Council of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies.

-The Mufti: Any Mufti at the Department or any of its branches in governorates.

-The Committee: Committee assigned by the Grand Mufti to conduct the competitive examinations for selecting Muftis.

 

Article (3):

The Dept. shall conduct competitive examinations for occupying the position "Mufti" and shall announce the date and conditions in the local official Gazette.

 

Article (4):

Applicant must meet the following conditions:

-Jordanian.

-Holds a PhD in Sharia Sciences.

-Or,holds, at least, a BA in Sharia Sciences (Rating good), and five years have passed, at least, over his obtaining that degree.

-Five years' experience in the field of specialty.

-Enjoys good conduct; not sentenced for a crime or an offence and enjoys full civil rights.

 

Article (5):

The Grand Mufti shall form one committee to prepare and correct the examination papers, and another to conduct the personal interviews. The examinees` papers are given number tags instead of names and corrected as such.

 

Article (6):

1-The examination material shall consist of:

Page One: Islamic Jurisprudence (All branches), Fundamentals of Islamic Jurisprudence and Personal Status Law in effect.

Page Two: Interpretation of the Quran, Aqidah(Creed) and Arabic language.

2-Each page shall be out of (100), but the passing score for page one shall be (70%) and (60%) for page two.

 

Article (7):

The committee shall interview applicants who passed the written exam. Each interviewer shall give the score that he sees fit for each interviewee. The interview score shall be the average of the scores given by all members. The final score shall be out of (100), and the passing score shall be (70%).

 

Article (8):

In addition to the instructions included in article (6), the personal interview shall also consider an interviewee`s mastery of the rules of Quranic recitation, charisma, general information, enthusiasm and adherence to unified Islamic dress code. One who passes the interview and both pages of the written exam succeeds.

 

Article (9):

Whoever succeeds shall be hired as Mufti by virtue of a resolution issued by the Iftaa` Board based on placement by the Grand Mufti, and in accordance with the vacancies.

 

Article (10): The Grand Mufti shall issue the proper decision regarding any case that haven`t been addressed in the above instructions.

Summarized Fatawaa

In the last verse of Surah At-Tin, Allah Says (What means): "Is Allah not the most just of judges?" [At-Tin/8]. Is it permissible for us, while performing congregational prayer, to respond after the Imam recites it by saying: "Indeed, and I am among those who bear witness to that." ?

It is recommended for the worshipper to say 'Indeed' (Bala) silently after reciting or hearing the verse (/What means): "Is Allah not the most just of judges?" [At-Tin/8]. This is part of reflecting on the Quran during its recitation or listening, as Allah Says (What means): "Then do they not reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?" (Muhammad: 24). Doing so helps in achieving humility and focus in prayer. And Allah Knows Best

Is it permissible for a woman to visit the doctor while in her `Iddah (waiting period)?

It is permissible for her to do that during day time, but it is impermissible for her to leave her house at night except for a sound reason. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it permissible for the woman who is observing Iddah after the death of her husband to exchange calls with her relatives and husband`s family call?

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.
It is permissible for the woman who is observing Iddah* after death of husband to exchange calls with them; however, when she speaks to non-Mahrams , she shouldn`t be soft of speech and she should be straight to the point. This because Almighty Allah Says (What means): "O ye wives of the Prophet! Ye are not like any other women. If ye keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft of speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease aspire (to you), but utter customary speech." [Al-Ahzaab/32]. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
 

 [1] The iddah is a waiting period that a Muslim woman observes after the death of her husband or after a divorce. The Quran says: For those men who die amongst you and leave behind wives, they (the wives) must confine themselves (spend iddah) for four months and ten days.

Should the Zakah (obligatory charity) giver tell the poor recipient that this is the Zakah of his money?

No, he shouldn`t. But, the Zakah giver should make an intention in his heart that it is the Zakah of his money when paying it to the poor. And Allah Knows Best.