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Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(329): "Ruling on Exchanging a Waqf "

Date Added : 09-07-2025

Resolution No.(329) (5/2025) "Ruling on Exchanging a Waqf "

Date (27/Dhul-Hijjah/1446 AH), corresponding to (23/6/2025 CE)

 

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.

In its fourth session held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa, Research and Islamic Studies considered the letter sent from His Excellency the Minister of Awqaf (Endowments), Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites, Dr. Muhammad Al-Khalayleh. The letter stated: "Attached herewith is a copy of the Awqaf Board`s Resolution No. (4/3/205) (20/3/2025 CE), regarding the request submitted by the heirs of M. H. to exchange the roof of the fuel station on which the Abu Al-Anbiya' Mosque (peace be upon him) is built, located on plot number (115), basin number (45) of Al-Humraniya lands in Amman, with plot number (972), basin number (44) of Umm Suwaywinah lands in Amman. This is due to reasons related to the disapproval of the relevant authorities to renew the license for the station, which is in violation of the regulations, and the mosque's location on top of the station's fuel tanks. I request a clarification of the Sharia opinion regarding the issuance of a document for exchanging the Waqf."

After research, study, and deliberation, the Board resolved the following:

The established principle among jurists is that a Waqf (An endowed property) may not be sold, gifted, or exchanged, because it has passed out of the ownership of the endower, and thus he is not permitted to dispose of it in any way that would nullify its benefit.

Furthermore, if land is endowed and becomes a mosque, thereby acquiring the status of a mosque (Masjidiyyah), it is not permissible to exchange it under any circumstances according to the majority of jurists, due to the permanence of its mosque status. However, some jurists permitted the exchange of a mosque if its intended benefits become impaired, such as it becoming too small for its community and impossible to expand, or due to the dilapidation of the area or neighborhood where it is located.

Accordingly, the Board, after careful consideration, views that, in order to achieve the benefit of the Waqf and the public interest, and to avert the harm and great danger to worshippers and frequenters of the mosque due to its location above a fuel station – a situation that could effectively negate its benefit – there is no sin in exchanging the Waqf. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

 

Chairperson of Iftaa` Board

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Prof. Mahmood Al-Sartawi/ Member

Dr. Zaid Ibrahim Al-Kilani/ Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi/ Member

Dr. Hasan Makhatreh/ Member

Judge Fares Foraihat/ Member

Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodat/ Member

Prof. Amjad Rasheed/ Member

Dr. Waleed Al-Shaweesh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Younis Al-Zou`bi/ Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on performing the obligatory prayer immediately after the commencement of the Adhan?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to perform the obligatory prayer (Fard) immediately after the commencement of the prayer time. As the Adhan (call to prayer) serves as a sign that the time has entered, it is permissible to pray as soon as the Adhan begins. However, it is recommended (Mustahabb) for whoever hears the Mu’adhin to repeat what he says. If the Adhan occurs while one is already engaged in prayer, he should repeat the words of the Mu’adhin after he has completed his prayer. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

I broke my oath and am now obligated to pay the expiation for a broken oath (kaffārat al-yamīn). Would it be valid to fulfill this by inviting the poor and needy to a meal for them to eat from?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
The expiation for a broken oath (kaffārat al-yamīn) is given to the poor (fuqarā') and needy (masākīn), and it must be given in the form of ownership (tamlīk) transferred to them of the required amount — namely, one mudd of the staple food of the locality, or its equivalent monetary value. It isn`t valid to invite the poor or needy to a meal prepared for them to eat from, as this does not constitute "ownership" (tamlīk) but merely "permission to partake" (ibāḥah).
Imam al-Shirbīnī (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "What is intended is that ownership be transferred to them; therefore, providing them with lunch or dinner [as a meal to eat from] isn`t valid." [Summarized from Mughnī al-Muhtāj,Vol. 5/P.50]. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

My father has debts and asked me to repay them years ago, and I promised him I would do so upon his death — is it permissible for me to go back on my promise given that I am unable to repay them, especially since he refuses to contribute to repayment on the grounds that the debt has become my responsibility by virtue of my promise?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The established principle is that a father's debt is to be repaid from his own wealth, if he possesses sufficient means. As for the promise made by the son to repay it on his father's behalf, fulfilling such a promise is strongly recommended, and breaking it is considerably disliked. Shaykh al-Islām Imām al-Nawawī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "Fulfilling a promise is emphatically recommended, and breaking it is severely disliked. The evidences for this from the Qurʾān and the Sunnah are well known." [Rawḍat al-Ṭālibīn,Vol. 2/P.278] Shaykh al-Islām Imām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī, may Allah have mercy upon him, further states: "The reason fulfilling a promise is not obligatory and breaking it is not forbidden is that a promise is in the nature of a gift, and a gift does not become binding except upon receipt." [Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib,Vol. 2/P.487]
Given that the son does not possess the financial means to fulfil his promise to his father, breaking this promise falls beyond his capacity — and Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. Since the father himself possesses sufficient wealth to settle his own debt, repayment must be made from his own funds. Should he pass away before doing so, the debt is to be settled from his estate. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it valid to have Suhoor before sleeping, even if it is before midnight?

Suhoor refers to the pre-dawn meal eaten after midnight to help a Muslim endure fasting. The closer it is to Fajr, the better.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "My Ummah will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast and delay Suhoor." [Narrated by Ahmad]
This is because delaying Suhoor makes it more effective in providing strength for worship. However, if there is a risk of Fajr entering while eating, one should refrain from Suhoor out of caution. 
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Leave what makes you doubt for what does not make you doubt." [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]

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