Article (1):

This law shall be cited as "

Law Amending Al-Iftaa` Law/2009", shall be an integral part of Law No. (60)/2006 and shall come into effect after the date of its publication in the official Gazette.

 

Article (2):

Article (2) of the original law shall be amended by deleting the definition of (Mufti) contained therein and replacing it with the following:

 

The word (Mufti) shall refer to any Mufti in Iftaa` Department and its branches in different governorates.

 

Article (3):

Article (7) of the original law shall be amended as follows:

 

First: Item (2) contained in Paragraph (A)shall be deleted and replaced with the following text:

 

An academic staff member specialized in Islamic Fiqh in a faculty of Sharia of one of the Jordanian universities shall be designated by the Grand Mufti.

 

Second: Paragraphs (C) and (D) shall be added with the following two texts:

(C): Notwithstanding paragraph (B) of this Article, any member of the Iftaa` Council referred to in item (6) of Paragraph (A) of this Article may be replaced-during the term of their office-upon a decision by the Cabinet based on a recommendation of the Grand Mufti, if the need arises.

(D): The term of office of any member shall expire in the following situations:

1-Death

2-Resignation

3-Failure to attend three consecutive sessions without an excuse acceptable to the Iftaa` Council.

 

Third: The phrases (at least eight members) and (by a majority vote) contained in Paragraph (C) shall be deleted and replaced with (a two-thirds majority of its members) and (by a majority of its members present) respectively.

 

Fourth: Paragraphs (C), (D) and (E) shall be renumbered as : (E), (F) and (G).

 

Article (4): 

Item (3)/Par. (A)/Art. (8) of the original law shall be amended by adding the phrase (and cases transferred from any official body).

 

Article (5): 

Article (9) of the original law shall be amended by adding the phrase (and its executive secretary) after the phrase (its members).

 

Article (6):

 

The text of Article (10) of the original law shall be deleted and replaced with the following text:

 

Article (10): 

A. The Mufti shall be appointed by a decision of the Iftaa` Council based on recommendation of the Grand Mufti. This is provided that he has at least a bachelor degree in Sharia Sciences and five years passed over his receiving that degree, in addition to having passed the competition conducted by the Iftaa` Dept. according to instructions issued by the Iftaa` Council.

 

B. When appointed in any class of occupation for the first time, the Mufti shall be kept on probation for two years from starting date and the Council shall have the right to terminate his services during this period if it turned out that he is incompetent or morally unsuitable in accordance with considerations that the Council sees fit.

 

C. The Mufti`s services are terminated by the expiry of the probationary period stipulated in Paragraph (B) of this Article unless the Council issues a decision to stabilize him in service.

 

Article (7):

 

Article (11) of the original law shall be amended by deleting Paragraph (G) contained therein.

 

 

 

 

Summarized Fatawaa

What are the conditions that must be met for the 'aqīqah to be valid?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The 'aqīqah is like the recommended uḍḥiyyah in terms of the type of animal, its age, and its required characteristics — since it is a recommended slaughter and therefore resembles the uḍḥiyyah in its rulings.
It is agreed upon without any difference of opinion that the 'aqīqah is not valid with any animal other than livestock (al-na'am — camels, cattle, and sheep). Likewise, an animal with a disqualifying defect — such as obvious illness, lameness, or blindness in one eye — does not suffice, as has previously been explained in the rulings of the uḍḥiyyah. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for a woman to uncover her face while performing Umrah (minor Hajj)?

The woman while in a state of Ihram (ritual consecration) is obligated to uncover her face and hands, but at the same time permitted to let her head-covering garment drape from her head down over her face when non-Mahram (i.e., marriageable) men pass by her. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it permissible to purchase the Udhiyah on installments?

It is permissible to purchase the sacrificial animal (uḍḥiyyah) on installments or by borrowing its price. However, it is not recommended for the poor to do so, because they are not required to offer a sacrifice, and Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. If doing so would lead to negligence in providing for one's dependents (nafaqah wājibah), then giving precedence to obligatory maintenance over borrowing to buy the sacrifice is appropriate. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "It is sufficient sin for a person to withhold food from those whom he is responsible to support."
 
Furthermore, the sacrifice is valid from one who has a debt, but it is preferable (awlā) to repay the debt first, especially if the debt is due immediately (ḥāll). And Allah Almighty knows best.

The imam recited a verse containing a prostration of recitation (*sajdat al-tilāwah*) but did not prostrate. After the imam's *salām*, a follower (*maʾmūm*) performed a prostration of forgetfulness (*sujūd al-sahw*) because the imam had not performed the prostration of recitation. Is it permissible to go against the imam in this way?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
There is no sin on the imam if he omits the prostration of recitation (sujūd al-tilāwah), even deliberately. The maʾmūm (the one following the imam) is obliged to follow the imam in the prayer, so if the imam does not perform the prostration of recitation, it is not permissible for the follower to prostrate, because the imam is appointed only to be followed.
If the follower introduces a prostration after the imam’s salām but before his own salām, in a case where there is no prostration of forgetfulness (sujūd al-sahw), his prayer is invalidated if he knew it to be prohibited. Otherwise, he is excused on account of his ignorance and his prayer is not invalidated.
It is stated in Ḥāshiyat al-Imām al-Jamal ʿalā Fatḥ al-Wahhāb: “His statement: ‘So the omission of the hayʾāt (the non-essential sunnahs of the prayer) is not compensated for by prostration; if one prostrates for any of them deliberately, his prayer is invalidated, unless he is excused due to his ignorance.’”
Since this issue is one that is hidden from the laymen, as it is among the subtleties of knowledge, and the laymen are excused for ignorance of whatever is of such a nature, and their act of obedience is not invalidated because of it, it may be said that the prayer of one who has not acquired knowledge of this issue is not invalidated, with the necessity of learning the rulings remaining. As for after knowing it, the prayer is invalidated. And Allah Almighty knows best.