Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(333):"Ruling on Considering Agricultural Projects for the Poor as Ongoing Charity (Sadaqah Jariyah)"

Date Added : 26-03-2026

Resolution No.(333): "Ruling on Considering Agricultural Projects for the Poor as Ongoing Charity (Sadaqah Jariyah)"

 

 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, reviewed the inquiry submitted by the "Tkiyet Um Ali" Foundation, which states:

We, Tkiyet Um Ali—in partnership with the Dar Abu Abdullah Association—are launching an economic project to serve the poor beneficiaries of the Tkiyet through agricultural projects, where the financial returns go to the benefit of the poor laborers working in these projects. A donor may contribute one or more shares at a value of fifty dinars per share. These include sustainable hydroponic projects, such as greenhouses, climate-smart systems, and smart irrigation. Other projects include tailoring and home production using modern equipment and sustainable supplies to link high-quality products to the market. The Question that arises here is : Are these donations considered 'Ongoing Charity' (Sadaqah Jariyah)? Which of the mentioned projects qualify as such? And can spending and donating to these projects be considered among the valid channels of Zakat?

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

First: It is obligatory to distribute Zakat to its eligible recipients among the categories mentioned in the words of Allah the Almighty: "Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise." [At-Tawbah/60].

The jurists, deriving from this noble verse, stated that Zakat must result in transfer of ownership (Tamleek) to the poor person. It is not sufficient for the poor person to merely be a laborer in a project, nor is it permissible to establish investment projects with Zakat funds. The jurists made no exception except for the Sovereign (Wali al-Amr) or his representative, allowing them to grant the poor person ownership of Zakat in the form of a project from which they can earn a living. As for private entities, they are not permitted to do so based on the "Lām of Ownership" (Lām al-Tamleek) in the verse.

Second: Regarding Voluntary Charity (Sadaqah al-Tatawwu’), Ongoing Charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), and Endowments (Waqf); it is permissible to receive and spend them for the purposes for which they were collected, provided that the donors are aware of the intent of their donations. This is because voluntary charities and donations are managed according to the conditions set by the donor.

Third: Regarding whether the mentioned projects are considered Ongoing Charity: Scholars have interpreted "Ongoing Charity" as being an Endowment (Waqf) and anything that provides continuous benefit. As Imam al-Shirbini (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

"In terms of Sharia, Waqf is the retention of a property from which benefit can be derived while the asset itself remains intact, by terminating any right of disposal over its core ownership, for a permissible and existing recipient. Ongoing Charity is understood by scholars to mean Waqf, as stated by al-Rafi’i, for other types of charity are not 'ongoing'; rather, the recipient immediately owns both the asset and its benefits." (Mughni al-Muhtaj,Vol. 3/P.523).

We hope in Allah that these projects, which provide lasting benefit, will carry the reward of Ongoing Charity. 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 ]


Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on someone who fasts but does not pray?

A Muslim must be diligent in fulfilling all obligations, and after the Shahadah, prayer is the most important duty.
● If someone abandons prayer out of disregard, they are considered a disbeliever, and their fasting is not accepted.
● If they abandon prayer out of laziness, they are still a Muslim, and their fasting remains valid, but they have committed a grave sin by neglecting prayer.

Who should pay the Zakah (obligatory charity) from the orphan`s money?

His/her guardian, and if the latter fails to do so, then the orphan himself/herself is obliged to pay the Zakah once he/she reaches puberty, and is capable of handling his/her own affairs. And Allah Knows Best.

When does the time for the Fajr prayer begin?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The time for the Fajr prayer begins once the Mu’adhin starts the second Adhan (Al-Adhan al-Thani), and not after the first Adhan. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is required of one who doubts the number of rakʿāt during prayer?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
If a person doubts the number of rakʿāt he has prayed, he should build upon the lesser number, as that is what he is certain of. He should then perform the prostration of forgetfulness (sujūd al-sahw) before the final salām at the end of the prayer. ʿAṭāʾ ibn Yasār narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "When any one of you is in doubt during his prayer and does not know whether he has prayed three rakʿāt or four, let him pray one more rakʿah and then perform two prostrations while seated before the salām. If the rakʿah he prayed was a fifth, these two prostrations will make it even; and if it was the fourth, then the two prostrations serve as a humiliation for the devil." (Reported by Abū Dāwūd.)
It is stated in al-Muqaddimah al-Ḥaḍramiyyah — one of the foundational texts of the Shāfiʿī school: "If one doubts whether he has prayed three rakʿāt or four, he is obliged to build upon the lesser number."
However, if such doubt recurs repeatedly and reaches the level of obsessive whispering (waswasah), he should not build upon the lesser number in that case — rather, he should build upon the greater number. And Allah the Almighty knows best.