Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



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 of Islamic Law on selling gold or silver in installments or for a differed price?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is prohibited (haram) to sell gold or silver in installments or for a deferred price; rather, immediate hand-to-hand exchange (Taqabud) is mandatory, otherwise, it is considered usury (Riba). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, dates for dates, and salt for salt—like for like, hand to hand. Whoever increases or asks for an increase has engaged in Riba; the receiver and the giver are the same in this regard.' (Narrated by Muslim). Furthermore, when exchanging new gold for used gold, they must be of equal weight, or it falls into Riba.
 
The permissible solution (al-makhraj) is for the merchant to purchase the used gold for cash first, and then sell the new gold for cash in a separate transaction. However, the price must be paid during the sitting of the contract (Majlis al-Aqd) for both deals. Alternatively, the jeweler may take the used gold with the intent of remodeling or repairing it, and then charge a fee for the craftsmanship or repair work. And Allah the Exalted knows best."

Is it permissible to offer prayer at home, or should it be offered in the mosque?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds.                                                                                                                                                                      It isn`t preferable for the man to pray at home as praying in the mosque is twenty seven times more rewarding. Therefore, this should motivate him to offer prayers in the mosque. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it permissible to participate in an Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Regarding the sacrificial offering (Udhiyah), if it is a sheep or a goat, it only avails for one person. However, if it is a cow or a camel, it avails for seven people. It is permissible for the seven participants to have different intentions; for example, some may intend the sacrifice (Udhiyah), some the ’Aqiqah (sacrifice for a newborn), and others may simply intend to obtain meat.
 
It is stated in Hashiyat Qalyubi ‘ala Sharh al-Mahalli (Vol.4/P.256) and in Bushra al-Karim (p. 706):
 
"If one slaughters a camel or a cow on behalf of seven... it is permissible. Likewise, it is permissible if some of them intend their seventh for meat, and others intend their seventh for ’Aqiqah." And Allah the Almighty knows best.

How many rak‘ahs are there in Tarawih prayer?

The most complete form of Tarawih prayer consists of twenty rak‘ahs, excluding Shaf‘ and Witr. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars, both past and present, and it is the practiced tradition in the two Holy Mosques.
However, Tarawih is valid with any even number of rak‘ahs, even two rak‘ahs, as long as it is performed with the intention of Qiyam al-Ramadan.