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

Must a person refrain from eating for the rest of the day if they break a fast of a vow (nadhr) or a make up fast (qada)?

 

Whoever observes a vowed fast (nadhr) or a makeup fast (qada) is prohibited from breaking it without a valid excuse. If they break it without a legitimate reason, they are sinful.
However, they are not required to refrain from eating for the rest of the day, because such restraint is only required out of respect for the month of Ramadan, not for other types of fasting.

What is the Islamic ruling on smearing the head of the newborn with the blood of the `Aqiqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is disliked (makrūh) to smear the head of the newborn with the blood of the 'aqīqah, as this is a practice that belongs to the customs of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jāhiliyyah). What is Sunnah instead is to anoint the newborn's head with saffron or another pleasant fragrance. And Allah Almighty knows best.

I have a brother who is harsh in his dealings [with me], and many problems have occurred between us, and I do not intend to reconcile with him. What is the ruling of Islamic Law on that?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is not permissible for a Muslim to abandon or boycott his fellow Muslim brother for more than three days. This is based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "It is not lawful for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three [days], meeting each other but one turns away and the other turns away, and the better of the two is the one who initiates the greeting (salam)." (Reported by al-Bukhari.)
A Muslim must strive to end such estrangement (hajr), so as not to fall under the prohibition mentioned in the hadith. If he takes the initiative to reconcile but the other party does not respond, then there is no sin upon him. We remind [ourselves] of the saying of Allah, the Exalted: "And let them pardon and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (An-Nur/22). And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling on giving Zakah (obligatory charity) to one`s relatives?

It is impermissible to pay Zakah to one`s origins (parents and grandparents) because providing for them is an obligation on their branches (sons and daughters) if they were poor, but it is permissible to give some of the Zakah money to relatives whose provision isn`t due on the giver of the Zakah.