Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(301): "Sighting the Crescent of Ramadan,1442 AH"

Date Added : 14-04-2021

Resolution No.(301)(5/2021) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Sighting the Crescent of Ramadan, 1442 AH"

Date: (29/ Sha`ban/1442 AH), corresponding to (12/4/2021 AD).

 

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.

At its fifth session held on the above date, the Board reviewed sighting the crescent of Ramadan for this year (1442) based on the astronomical calculations conducted by the Crescents Committee of the General Iftaa` Department. 

After deliberating, the Board arrived at the following decision:

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Allah, The Almighty, Says {What means}: "Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting" {Al-Baqarah/185}. Allah also Says {What means}: "They ask thee concerning the New Moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men, and for Pilgrimage" {Al-Baqarah/189}. Moreover, the Prophet (PBUH) says: "Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break it on sighting it." {Related by Bukhari}.

In compliance with the texts of Sharia, the Iftaa` Board Board convened on Monday evening (29th of Sha`ban, 1442 AH, corresponding to 12/4/2021) to sight the crescent of Ramadan (the new moon).

Based on the findings of the Crescent Sighting Committee, which were harmonious with the astronomical calculations, at The General Iftaa` Department and other specialized authorities, it was ascertained to the Board that tomorrow, Tuesday, (13/4/2021) is the first day of the holy month of Ramadan for this blessed year, 1442 AH. 

On this blessed occasion, the Board extends the warmest of congratulations to His Majesty King Abdullah the Second Ibn Al-Hussein, His Crown Prince, and the Hashemite Family, praying that Allah Protects His Majesty and Grants him a good health.

The Board also extends its congratulations to the people of Jordan as well as the Arab and Muslim Nation. It also prays that Allah makes it a month of peace, security, faith, goodness and piety. And may Allah Accept our fast and night prayers. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

 

Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh, Member          Professor Mahmoud al-Sartawi, Member

Dr. Majid al-Darawsheh, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member            Judge, Dr. Samer al-Kobbaj, Member

Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodaat, Member

Professor Amjad Rasheed, Member   Dr. Jameel Khatatbeh, Member

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi, Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on discharging one's zakāh obligation through the provision of a specific benefit (manfa‘ah) — such as performing a surgical operation for a patient, or providing housing to a tenant, and counting the value of this service as zakāh?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is obligatory to pay zakāh from the actual asset (‘ayn al-māl) upon which zakāh is due, except in the case of zakāh on trade goods ('urūḍ at-tijārah), which is paid based on their monetary value. In all cases, zakāh must be given in the form of tamlīk (a full transfer of ownership), based on the words of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic (which mean): "Zakāh expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy, and for those employed to collect [zakāh], and for bringing hearts together [for Islam], and for freeing captives [or slaves], and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allah, and for the [stranded] traveler — an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise" [at-Tawbah/60]. The letter "lām" (لِ) in this verse — as in "lil-fuqarā'" ("for the poor") — indicates possession/ownership (lām al-milk).
It is not permissible to fulfill one's zakāh obligation by providing a benefit or service (manfa‘ah) — such as housing, education, or medical treatment — in place of the zakāh itself. This is because zakāh must be paid as wealth (māl) that is transferred into the ownership of the poor recipient, whereas such services are intangible benefits that are not, in themselves, capable of being formally transferred in ownership (ghayr qābilah lit-tamlīk). And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

Is it permissible to appoint a proxy for the sacrificial offering outside Jordan?

In the name of Allah; all praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to appoint a proxy—whether an individual or a charitable organization—to perform the sacrificial slaughter (Udhiyah) on one’s behalf, even if it is carried out in a country other than that of the donor. This is conditional upon the proxy’s adherence to the established requirements of the Udhiyah, including the animal’s age, its freedom from physical defects, the designated timing of the slaughter, and the proper distribution of the meat.
However, it is preferable for the one offering the sacrifice to perform the slaughter personally, in order to attain the full reward and blessings of the act. And Allah (Exalted be He) knows best.

Is it Sunnah to cook the meat of the 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is Sunnah not to distribute the meat of the 'aqīqah raw. Rather, it is recommended to cook it with something sweet — such as raisins or honey — as a good omen and expression of hope for the sweetness of the newborn's character and conduct throughout their life. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is a woman sinful if she fasts out of shyness from her family while menstruating or in postnatal bleeding?

It is forbidden for a woman who is menstruating or in postnatal bleeding to abstain from food and drink with the intention of fasting. If she fasts out of shyness, she is sinful, as her fast is not valid.
However, if she refrains from eating and drinking without intending to fast, it is not forbidden, but she unnecessarily burdens herself without need.