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

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is a woman`s prayer considered invalid if non-Mahrams (marriageable men) saw her offering it?

A woman`s prayer isn`t invalidated if non-Mahrams saw her offering it, but she had better pray in isolation.

Is it permissible for a woman to sit with her brothers-in-law?

It is impermissible for a woman to sit with her brothers-in-law, and it is also impermissible for a person to have a Khulwa (seclusion) with his sister-in-law.

What is the monetary value for the expiation of an oath (Kaffarat al-Yamin)?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The expiation for an oath (Kaffarat al-Yamin) consists of feeding ten (10) needy persons. This is estimated at 600 grams of rice per person. It is also permissible to pay its value in cash, which is estimated at one dinar (per person). And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the meaning of the Prophetic statement that a boy is held in pledge (murtahan) for his 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The first interpretation: That if the boy dies in infancy without an 'aqīqah having been performed on his behalf, he will not intercede for his parents on the Day of Resurrection. This is the position of Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, and Imam al-Khaṭṭābī concurred with him, stating: "The finest of what has been said regarding this matter is the position adopted by Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal." — [Fatḥ al-Bārī by Ibn Ḥajar,{Vol.9/P.594]
The second interpretation: That the child is likened to a pledged object (marhūn) — one from which full benefit and enjoyment cannot be derived until it is redeemed. A blessing is only made complete upon the one blessed when they fulfil the obligation of gratitude (shukr), and the prescribed expression of gratitude for this particular blessing is what the Prophet ﷺ established as Sunnah — namely, the slaughtering of the 'aqīqah on behalf of the newborn as an act of thankfulness to Allah the Almighty and as a supplication for the wellbeing and safety of the child. This is the position of Mullā 'Alī al-Qārī. See: [Mirqāt al-Mafātīḥ Sharḥ Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ, Vol.7/P.2688]
And Allah Almighty knows best.