Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Introduction by Grand Mufti Nooh Ali Salman Al-Qhodat

Date Added : 26-03-2024

Introduction 

 

All praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, who said in His decisive Book: "So ask the people of the message if you do not know," and peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad, who said: "Whoever Allah wants good for, He grants him understanding in religion." May Allah be pleased with the honorable companions, the pure household (Ahl al-Bayt), and the diligent scholars who continued the path after their Prophet, delivered the trust, spread the religion, educated the Muslims, and provided solutions to issues in accordance with the divine methodology they received from the Prophet, peace be upon him.

 

The Iftaa` Council in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been authorized to issue fatwas (religious rulings) on general issues, contemporary matters, and issues related to official entities. As for other matters, they are answered by the knowledgeable scholars based on the knowledge bestowed upon them by Allah.

 

The Iftaa` Law specifies that a number of scholars participate in this council due to their positions. This includes the Kingdom's Grand Mufti, the Mufti of the Jordan Armed Forces, the Mufti of the Capital, the dean of one of the Sharia faculties, a representative from the Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Sites, a representative from the Chief Justice Department, in addition to five reputable jurists known for their expertise in the scholarly circles.

 

Several esteemed scholars have taken turns as members of this council, where they discuss the presented issues and reach decisions through consensus or majority agreement.

 

Over the years, many issues related to people's lives have been addressed through these decisions. We wanted to gather and organize them, and present them in a printed book to facilitate reference and benefit for specialists, as well as to make it easier for students of knowledge to access them.

May Allah reward all those who participated in it with the best reward, have mercy on those who have passed away among them, bless the lives of those who remain, guide them, and make them beneficial for the Muslims.

And may Allah's blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his companions.

 

Grand Mufti, Dr. Nooh Ali Salman Al-Qhodat

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on speaking with one's fiancée (before the marriage contract) by telephone and WhatsApp?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
Before the marriage contract, the two engaged persons remain non-mahram (strangers) to one another. Reciting al-Fātiḥah, receiving some money on account of the dowry (mahr), or accepting a gift are all merely a promise of marriage and not a valid contract under the Sharīʿah.
It is therefore forbidden for the engaged couple, before the marriage contract is concluded, to be alone together (khalwah) or to shake hands. It is likewise forbidden to speak by telephone or correspond without need. And Allah Almighty knows best.

I bought an apartment, and I am saving money to pay the remaining balance of its price — is zakāh obligatory on this money?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Zakāh is obligatory on all saved/hoarded wealth. Once the total wealth reaches the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for zakah— equivalent to the value of 85 grams of pure 24-karat gold) and a full ḥawl (lunar year) has elapsed over it, zakāh becomes obligatory at a rate of (2.5%) — even if the wealth is earmarked for basic future needs, and even if the wealth's owner is in debt. Debt does not prevent the obligation of zakāh, nor is it deducted when calculating the zakāh due, based on the general and unrestricted wording of all the Qur'anic verses commanding zakāh, which draw no distinction between someone in debt and anyone else.
It is stated in ‘Umdat as-Sālik, from the books of the Shāfi‘ī school: "If someone possesses exactly the niṣāb, and owes an equivalent amount in debt, zakāh remains obligatory on what is in his possession, and the debt does not prevent this obligation" — meaning, the obligation of zakāh on what is presently in his possession.
The ḥawl (annual cycle) recognized for zakāh, as well as for the other sharī‘ah obligations that Allah, the Exalted, has imposed upon Muslims, is the Hijrī (lunar) year. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling on one who slept while firmly seated on the ground, regarding nullification of ablution?

The default ruling regarding sleep is that it nullifies ablution. An exception to this is one who slept while firmly seated on the ground; his ablution is not nullified by sleep if he wakes up while still firmly seated on the ground. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for the children of a deceased father to settle his debt from the Zakah (obligatory charity) money due on them?

It is impermissible to use the Zakah of one`s money for settling the debts of the deceased. However, children should settle the debts of their deceased parents out of filial piety. And Allah Knows Best.