Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No. (332): "Ruling on Leasing Part of Land Designated for Burial"

Date Added : 26-03-2026

Resolution No.: (332) (3/2026): " Ruling on Leasing Part of Land Designated for Burial"

 Date: (19/ Ramadan/ 1447 AH), corresponding to (March 9, 2026 AD)

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions.

The Board of Iftaa’, Research, and Islamic Studies, in its third session held on the above date reviewed the inquiry submitted by His Excellency the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, His Eminence Dr. Muhammad Al-Khalayleh, which states:

With reference to the lease application for land plot No. 705, Basin 28 (Eastern Al-Tarabil), Al-Salihiyya Village/ Mafraq Governorate, with an area of 139,935 dunums, which was designated by the Kingdom's Treasury to the Ministry of Awqaf to be used as a cemetery. I kindly request your Eminence to clarify the Sharia ruling regarding leasing a portion of the aforementioned land for agricultural purposes, given its large size and the fact that it contains only four old graves. Currently, it is not being used for burials due to its distance from urban areas and the lack of service roads. Furthermore, leasing it will not hinder its future use for burials. Attached for your Eminence are the inspection report and documents for the land plot."

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

The obligation regarding land designated by the General Treasury is to ensure its utilization for the general interests of Muslims in the most complete and optimal manner. If the land is designated for burial, it should originally remain for that purpose. However, there is no religious objection (Mani') to utilizing a portion of it by leasing it until it is needed for burial. This is to ensure that its rental income benefits the endowment (Awqaf) interests and that no potential revenue is lost. The governing Sharia principle in this matter is the "Consideration of Interests" (Mura’at al-Masalih) as much as possible within the intent of the designator. And Allah the Exalted 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 Al-Kilani/ Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi/ Member

Dr. Atif Al-Qhodah/ Member

Judge Fares Foraihat/ Member

Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodat/ Member

Dr. Amjad Rasheed/ Member

Prof. Waleed Al-Shaweesh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Younis Al-Zou`bi/ Member

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

Are school exams a valid excuse for breaking the fast in Ramadan?

School and university exams are not considered a valid excuse for breaking the fast, as most students take their exams while fasting without experiencing extreme hardship. Fasting does not conflict with exam preparation, and a Muslim seeks strength in obedience to Allah for both worldly and spiritual matters.

Who is "the poor" entitled to receive Zakah (obligatory charity)?

The poor is the one who has neither money nor a source of living, or has either of them, but it isn`t sufficient such as being in need for a hundred/JDs, and having an income of forty/JDs only.

What is the ruling on using snuff, inhaled vapor, or menthol rub (Vicks) during the day in Ramadan?

Using snuff, inhaled vapor, or menthol rub (Vicks) invalidates the fast because these substances enter the lungs through inhalation, and the lungs are considered part of the body cavity (jauf).
Whoever uses them must refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day out of respect for the sacred month and make up for that day after Ramadan.
However, if it is merely a scent and none of its substance reaches the body cavity, it does not break the fast.

Is Zakah (obligatory charity) due on owned land?

Zakah is due on the land used as an article of merchandise and was originally bought for that end. Zakah is due on it at the end of every lunar year. Its value is estimated, and (2.5%) of the total value of all such lands owned by the questioner is given as Zakah. However, no Zakah is due on the land used for building a house, or an agricultural purpose.