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Resolutions of Iftaa' Board


Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No. (127): "Ruling on Attributing the Adopted Orphan to the Surname/family Name of her/his Sponsor"

Date Added : 20-10-2015

Resolution No. (127) /4/2009: "Ruling on Attributing the Adopted Orphan to the Surname/family Name of her/his Sponsor"

On 27/4/1430AH, corresponding to 23/4/2009AD

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Wolrds.

The Iftaa Board in its session—held on 27/4/1430H (23/4/2009)—reviewed the appeal written by Mr. Amjad Muhammad Adel Abdel-Khaleq al-Kharouf in which he asked to add his family name to the name of the child he had adopted whose name was (Izzel-Deen Amjad Omar Khaled), and to add (Al-Kharouf) after the word (Khaled) in the child’s name.

After studying the request and discussing it, the Board decided the following:

One aim of the Sharia is the protection of family lineage which is a necessity that Islam called to protect because it is a grace of Allah on his worshippers. He Says (What means): “And it is He Who has created man from water, and has appointed for him kindred by blood and kindred by marriage. And your Lord is ever All-Powerful (to do what He wills).” [Al-Furqan 25].

For the sake of keeping ancestry, Islam regulates marriage and prohibits all that may lead to genealogy mix, adultery and the like. Some religious rules such as inheritance and certain forbidden marriage relations are based on genealogy issues.

Because of this, Islam prohibited adoption which means considering someone who is not genealogically related to the person as those who are. He Says (what means): “Allah has not made for any man two hearts inside his body. Neither has He made your wives whom you declare (to be like your mothers) your mothers, nor has He made your adopted sons your real sons. This is but a saying of your mouths. But Allah Says the truth and He guides to the right way. [4] Call them [adopted sons] by the names of their real fathers. That will be more just in the sight of Allah. And if you know not their fathers, then (they are) your brothers in faith, and your clients [freed slaves]. And there is no sin for you in the mistakes that you make unintentionally, but what your hearts deliberately intend (that will be a sin for you). Allah is ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Al-Ahzab 33].

Building on the previous, the questioner cannot give his family name (lineage) to the adopted child. An adopted child will not be a legal son and must not claim his sponsor’s name.

Add to this that there is a difference between what is forbidden as a consequence of breast-feeding and verification of lineage. Breast feeding leads to forbid certain marriages but it does not give the right to claim the lineage. Since the prophet (PBUH) said when the exchange of curse verse was revealed: “If a woman claimed her child to belong to a family to which this child has no blood relation, this woman has nothing to do with God, and God will not admit her into His paradise. And any man who rejects his own child while looking at her/him, God will reject him and will expose him in front of all creatures.” [Related by Abu Dawood and Al-Bayhaqi].

So, the prophet considered claiming a lineage of certain people as a crime that is punishable on the Day of Judgment.

The Prophet (PBUH) also said: “The one who claims descent from someoneother than his (real) father, and the slave who attaches himself to someone other than his (real) master, are cursed by Allah, His Angels and all the people. Allah will accept neither repentance nor ransom from such a person on the Day of Resurrection.”  [Agreed upon].

We advice our brother the questioner to support this orphan and be a good sponsor for him and he will be rewarded by God for the prophet PBUH said: “I and the one who raises an orphan, will be will be like these in the Garden (Paradise)”, and he pointed with his index and middle fingers slightly parted.” [Related by Al-Bukhari]. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Board of Iftaa’

                                                        Head of the Board of Iftaa’:

The General Mufti/his excellence Dr. Nouh Ali Salman Al-Qudhah

The Vice Head: Dr. Ahmad Hlail      

Shaikh Dr. Abdel Kareem al-Khasawneh/ member

 Sheikh Said al-Hajjawi/ member     

       Dr. Muhammad Khair al-Eisa/ member

 Judge Sari Atiyah/ member          

  Dr. Abdel Rahman Ibdah/ member

                  Dr. Muhammad Uqlah al-Ibraheem/ member

         Dr. Abdel Naser Abu al-Basal/ member

                       Executive Secretary of Iftaa’ Board Dr. Muhammad al Khalayleh

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on offering a sheep as a sacrifice (Udhiyah) if its fat-tail is sound, except that when it was young, the tip of its fat-tail was cut so that it would grow larger? And what is the ruling in case of doubt regarding the amount that was cut?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Cutting a minor, insignificant portion from the tip of an animal's fat-tail (al-alyah) to encourage it to grow larger is not considered a defect, and it does not prevent the animal from being valid for sacrifice (Udhiyah).
 
It is stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol.9/P.352): "There is some scholarly deliberation regarding the common practice of cutting the tip of the fat-tail so that it grows larger. It could potentially be likened to a partial cut of the ear—supported by the jurists' general rule: 'even if it is a small amount.' On the other hand, if it is an exceptionally minor cut, it might have no effect on validity. This is explicitly clarified by the juristic exception to the general rule, which states that cutting a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm. This latter view is more well-founded.
 
Furthermore, I found that some scholars investigated this matter and concluded: 'It should not affect validity if a custom-sanctioned portion of its fat-tail is removed during its youth to make it grow larger and look better, just as castrating a male animal causes no harm.' However, applying this unconditionally contradicts the established texts of the jurists, as understood from what I have laid out; thus, the restriction I specified is what must be relied upon."
 
Similarly, it is mentioned in Nihayat al-Muhtaj (8/135): "If a small piece is cut from the fat-tail to help it grow larger, the most well-founded view is that the sacrifice remains valid, as was given in a formal legal verdict (Fatwa) by my father [Shihab al-Din al-Ramli], may Allah be pleased with him. This is proven by the jurists' maxim: 'The loss of a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm.'"
 
In cases where there is doubt as to whether the portion cut was large or small, the animal is still deemed valid for sacrifice. It is noted in Hashiyat al-Shubramallisi ‘ala Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol.8/P.135):
 
"This matter requires careful consideration, but the closer and more correct view is that it is valid. This is because soundness is the default state for the animal from which the piece was cut, and it aligns with what usually occurs—namely, that the part removed to help the fat-tail grow larger is naturally very small." And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on compensating the patient in case of medical error on the part of the treating physician?

 
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The foundational principle is that every mistake issued by a physician that causes harm to another due to his negligence or lack of expertise obligates him to guarantee liability and compensate the harmed party. The Sharia maxim, in this regard, states: "The direct actor is liable."
 
Ibn Qudamah (may Allah have mercy on him) says: "As for if he was skilled but his hand committed an error—such as exceeding the proper limit of incision, cutting in an incorrect site, cutting with an instrument that inflicts excessive pain, or cutting at an unsuitable time—he is liable, because it is destruction (Itlaf) whose liability does not differ between intent and mistake, thus resembling the destruction of property; and because it is a prohibited act, so he guarantees liability for its secondary effects." [Al-Mughni].
 
However, if the physician performed what was necessary in the most complete manner and took all measures of care and caution, but complications occurred that could not be avoided according to specialists, then no liability rests upon him.
 
Shaykh al-Islam Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) says: "The cupper and the circumciser bear no liability if they have not been negligent, and likewise the veterinarian if he bleeds an animal and it perishes." [Rawdat al-Talibin].
 
Al-Khattabi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "I know of no disagreement that if the practitioner transgresses and the patient perishes, he is liable. Anyone who undertakes knowledge or practice he does not know is a transgressor; so if perishing arises from his action, he is liable for the blood-money (Diyah) while capital retaliation (Qisas) is dropped from him, because he did not act independently without the patient's permission. And the physician’s offense in the view of the generality of jurists is borne by his agnates ('Aqilah*)."* [Ma'alim al-Sunan].
 
If negligence or transgression is established against the physician, it is necessary to compensate the patient or seek forgiveness from him. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on praying alone (munfaridan) in a row, and what should I do if I enter the mosque together with another person, and there is only a single gap in the first row with no second row present — should I fill that gap in the first row, or should I stand together with him in a new second row?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
If a person enters [the congregation] and finds no space available in the row, it is recommended for him — after making his opening takbīr for the prayer — to gently pull someone from the row in front of him to pray alongside him, provided he senses that this person would be agreeable to it. If that person does not agree, then he prays alone, and there is no dislike attached to his doing so in that case.
If he ends up praying alone [behind the row], it is sunnah for him to stand directly behind the imam. Then, if someone else arrives, that person stands to his right; and whoever comes after them stands to his left — and so on — such that the imam remains centered in the middle of the row. This is done so that everyone attains the reward of congregational prayer.
As for the case where two people enter the prayer together, and there is a gap in the row wide enough for only one person, then the two of them should pray together in a new row [of their own], and whoever arrives after them should fill that original gap. This is because if only one of the two fills the gap, the other would end up praying alone [which is to be avoided when it can easily be prevented].
Al-Khaṭīb ash-Shirbīnī (raḥimahullāh) said in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.1/P.494): "If he does not find space, then it is recommended for him, while still standing, to gently pull a single person from the row toward himself after making his opening takbīr — out of caution, so as to avoid the position held by some scholars that a person's prayer standing alone behind the row is not valid.
Az-Zarkashī and others said: this should only be done if it seems he would agree to it; otherwise, he should not pull anyone — indeed, doing so becomes impermissible, out of fear of causing discord (fitnah). It is recommended for the person being pulled to cooperate and agree, so that he may attain the reward of assisting in righteousness and piety (al-birr wat-taqwā). However, he should not pull one of two people [praying together] from the row, since this would cause one of them to end up praying alone. This is why the 'pulling' described here takes place only after the opening takbīr [i.e., once the person doing the pulling has already validly begun his own prayer]."
Accordingly: it is sunnah for you to pray alongside the person praying alone, and then, if someone else arrives afterward, you may go and fill the gap in the original row. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What are the pillars of fasting?

The pillars of fasting are intention and abstaining from all nullifiers of fasting from dawn to sunset.

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