Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No. (169): "The Heirs aren`t Entitled to the Inheritance, Save after Paying off the Deceased`s Debts"

Date Added : 25-10-2015

Resolution No. (169), By The Board of Iftaa', Researches and Islamic Studies:

"Resolution No. (169) "The Heirs aren`t Entitled to any portion of Inheritance, Save after Paying off the Deceased`s Debts"

Date: (25/9/1432AH), corresponding to (25/8/ 2011AD)

 

Praise be to Allah, peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad and upon His Family and companions.

During the above given date, the Board reviewed  the following question:

My brother (May Allah have mercy on his soul) was killed in line of duty. He has been indebted with almost forty thousand dinars as installments of a flat that he purchased through the Jordan Islamic Bank - (300JDs) per month. (82885JDs) are due to his heirs and this amount was given to them in cheques with different payments. However, they have refused to pay off his debts. What is the Sharia ruling on this and can they take their shares from the estate before paying off the deceased`s debts?

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

The heirs aren`t entitled to take anything from the deceased`s estate, save after paying off his debts because Allah Says in the verses on inheritance (What means): “After any bequest they may bequeath, or any debt.” {An`Nisa`/12}. And Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-Aaas (May Allah Be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “A martyr is exempt of all sins except debt.” {Muslim, 4991}.

Accordingly, the heirs are not entitled to anything from the property of the deceased  except after paying off his debts. However, if they had taken their shares from the inheritance  and later on found out that he was indebted, then each of them - young or old - must pay the debt percentage due on their share. Any heir who abstains from doing so is considered sinful according to Islamic Sharia and is to be called to account for denying  the right of the deceased regarding the settlement of the latter`s debt before Allah.

Therefore, if all of the heirs  pay off  the debt  from  their shares ,the flat becomes theirs – each according to his/her share – and the rest of the inheritance is divided amongst them according to Sharia.

The Board is of the view that  the heirs should treat the children of the martyred mercifully and compassionately, and not to leave them homeless because Allah Says (What means): “And let them fear those who, if they leave behind them weak offspring would be afraid for them; let them fear God and speak pertinent words. “ {An-Nisa`/9}. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board 

The General Mufti of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan :His Eminence , Abd Al-Kareem Al-Khasawneh

Vice Head of Iftaa` Board:  His Eminence Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

Dr.Yahia Al-Botosh/member

His Eminence :Sheikh Sa`id Al-Hijawi/member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/member

His Excellency : Judge Sari Attieh/member

.Dr.Abdulrahman Ibdaah/member

Dr.Mohammad Oglah Al-Ibrahim/member

Dr.Abdulnasir Abulbasal/member

Dr.Mohammad Al-Zo`bi/member

Dr.Mohammad Al-Gharaibeh/member

Executive Secretary of Iftaa`Board:Sheikh Mohammad Al-Hinaiti

 

 

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

How is the beginning of Ramadan determined?

1. Completing 30 days of Sha‘ban, or
2. Sighting the crescent moon after sunset on the 29th day of Sha‘ban.
It is Sunnah to search for the moon, and it is obligatory to follow the official authorities responsible for announcing it.

When is supplication (du‘a) more likely to be accepted: before or after breaking the fast in Ramadan?

Du‘a is accepted at all times, and this is part of Allah’s mercy and generosity toward His servants.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "No Muslim makes a supplication that does not involve sin or severing family ties except that Allah grants them one of three things: either He grants their supplication immediately, or He stores it for them in the Hereafter, or He averts from them an equivalent harm." [Narrated by Ahmad]
However, in Ramadan, du‘a is especially likely to be accepted shortly before breaking the fast.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Three supplications are never rejected: the supplication of a fasting person until they break their fast, the supplication of a just leader, and the supplication of an oppressed person. Allah raises it above the clouds, opens the gates of heaven for it, and says: ‘By My might, I will surely grant you victory, even if after a while.’" [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]

What is the wisdom behind the legislation of fasting?

Fasting is a divine school from which the believer learns much and trains in virtues that may be needed in life. Among these virtues is patience, as it is the month of patience. Fasting also teaches honesty and consciousness of Allah in both private and public, for there is no observer over the fasting person in abstaining from lawful pleasures except Allah alone.
Fasting strengthens willpower, sharpens determination, and nurtures mercy and compassion among the servants of Allah. It is a struggle against the self, a restraint of desires, a purification of the soul, and a cultivation of goodness.
The Prophetﷺ said: "Allah, the Almighty, said: ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except for fasting; it is for Me, and I shall reward for it. Fasting is a shield. So when one of you is fasting on a day, let him not engage in obscene speech or raise his voice in anger. If someone insults him or fights him, let him say: I am a fasting person. By Him in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the breath of the fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the fragrance of musk.’" [Bukhari and Muslim]

Is it valid for the 'aqīqah to be performed using the newborn child's own wealth?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is not permissible for the guardian to perform the 'aqīqah using the newborn child's own wealth, because the 'aqīqah is a voluntary act of giving (tabarru'), and a guardian is prohibited from making voluntary expenditures from the child's wealth. Should he do so, he becomes financially liable for what he spent. And Allah Almighty knows best.