Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(306): "Ruling on Health Insurance"

Date Added : 13-07-2022

Resolution No.(306), By The Board of Iftaa', Researches and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Health Insurance"

Date: (25th of Jumada Al Oula, 1443 AH), corresponding to (30/12/2021 AD).

 

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

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

On its sixteenth meeting held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa`, Research, and Islamic Studies reviewed question No.(207233) sent to the electronic website of The General Iftaa` Department. It stated as follows: I work for a company of the private sector and we have optional health insurance. What is the ruling of Sharia on this health insurance taking into consideration that the company where I work deals with a conventional insurance company where an amount of 11JDs is deducted from an employee`s salary while the rest is covered by the employer?

After careful consideration, the Board decided what follows:

Health treatment is one of the necessities emphasized by the Maqasid of Sharia (Higher objectives of Sharia). Due to the progress accomplished in the field of medicine and the diversity of its techniques, meeting this need has become too expensive, so individuals couldn`t afford treatment and this negatively affected their health.

Since public need is ranked as a private necessity and the rules of Sharia rests on warding off harm and hardship, then it is permissible for an employee to have access to the services of medical insurance by virtue of his/her company having concluded a contract to that end with an insurance company. It is also permissible for an employee to include his/her dependents in those services as well. However, we advise employers to insure their employees with cooperative insurance companies that observe the standards of Sharia in this regard. And Allah The  Almighty Knows Best.

 Chairperson of Iftaa` Board

Grand Mufti of Jordan                     Dr. Abdulkareem al-Khasawneh

Dr. Mohammad al-Khalayleh

Dr. Mahmoud al-Sartawi/ Member         Dr. Majed al-Darawsheh/ Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Judge Samer Al-Khobbaj/ Member               Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodaat/Member

Prof. Amjad Rasheed/Member

Dr. Jamil Khatatbeh/Member                               Dr. Mohammad Younis Al-Zou`bi/ Member

Dr. Ahmad al-Hasanat/ Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on offering a sheep as a sacrifice (Udhiyah) if its fat-tail is sound, except that when it was young, the tip of its fat-tail was cut so that it would grow larger? And what is the ruling in case of doubt regarding the amount that was cut?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Cutting a minor, insignificant portion from the tip of an animal's fat-tail (al-alyah) to encourage it to grow larger is not considered a defect, and it does not prevent the animal from being valid for sacrifice (Udhiyah).
 
It is stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol.9/P.352): "There is some scholarly deliberation regarding the common practice of cutting the tip of the fat-tail so that it grows larger. It could potentially be likened to a partial cut of the ear—supported by the jurists' general rule: 'even if it is a small amount.' On the other hand, if it is an exceptionally minor cut, it might have no effect on validity. This is explicitly clarified by the juristic exception to the general rule, which states that cutting a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm. This latter view is more well-founded.
 
Furthermore, I found that some scholars investigated this matter and concluded: 'It should not affect validity if a custom-sanctioned portion of its fat-tail is removed during its youth to make it grow larger and look better, just as castrating a male animal causes no harm.' However, applying this unconditionally contradicts the established texts of the jurists, as understood from what I have laid out; thus, the restriction I specified is what must be relied upon."
 
Similarly, it is mentioned in Nihayat al-Muhtaj (8/135): "If a small piece is cut from the fat-tail to help it grow larger, the most well-founded view is that the sacrifice remains valid, as was given in a formal legal verdict (Fatwa) by my father [Shihab al-Din al-Ramli], may Allah be pleased with him. This is proven by the jurists' maxim: 'The loss of a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm.'"
 
In cases where there is doubt as to whether the portion cut was large or small, the animal is still deemed valid for sacrifice. It is noted in Hashiyat al-Shubramallisi ‘ala Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol.8/P.135):
 
"This matter requires careful consideration, but the closer and more correct view is that it is valid. This is because soundness is the default state for the animal from which the piece was cut, and it aligns with what usually occurs—namely, that the part removed to help the fat-tail grow larger is naturally very small." And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What is recommended for a Muslim to say on Laylat al-Qadr?

On Laylat al-Qadr, it is recommended for a Muslim to recite the supplication (du‘a) that the Prophet ﷺ taught Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):
"O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me." [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]

Who is the "Capable Person" for whom the Udhiyah is recommended?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.

The "Capable Person" (Al-Qadir): This refers to anyone who possesses surplus wealth beyond their own essential needs and the financial maintenance of their wife, children, or whoever is under their legal care, during the day of Eid and the three days of Tashreeq (the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah), as this is the designated timeframe for the sacrifice. And Allah Knows Best.

Does an internal medical examination for a woman affect her fast?

An internal medical examination for a woman invalidates the fast because it involves the entry of a foreign object into the body cavity (jauf) while fasting.
In this case, the woman must refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day out of respect for Ramadan and make up for the missed fast after Ramadan.
Such an examination should be avoided in Ramadan and other months unless absolutely necessary, as exposing the private parts is only permissible in cases of necessity.
If necessary, a woman should seek a Muslim female doctor first. If one is unavailable, she may see a female doctor from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians). If neither is available, she may consult a trustworthy and competent Muslim male doctor.