Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(200) Amount of Zakah of Fitr

Date Added : 02-11-2015

Resolution No.(200) (10/2014) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies for the year 1435 A.H.

Amount of Zakah of Fitr

Date:25/Sha`ban/1435 A.H corresponding to 19/6/2014 A.D

All praise be to Allah, peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon his family and righteous companions:

The  Board, in its 8th session held on Thursday (25 /Sha`ban/ 1435AH) corresponding to  (19/6/2014AD), reviewed  the issue of estimating the amount of Zakah of Fitr. After careful review  and deliberation, it decided the following:

Giving Zakaatul-Fitr is an obligatory act of worship in Islam and one aspect of social solidarity which characterizes our forbearing  Islamic Sharia particularly in the sacred month of Ramadan, the month of piety, goodness and kindness. Therefore, it has been prescribed during the sacred month of Ramadan as an  obligation on every Muslim who possesses enough food exceeding his or his family's basic needs for the duration of the day or night of 'Eed. Any Muslim who meets this condition has to give it on behalf of everyone he is obliged to spend on, such as his wife, children, parents and even his baby who was born before the sunset of the last day of Ramadan.

Ibn 'Umar narrated: “Allah's Apostle made it incumbent on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa' of dates or barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr.”{Bukhari&Muslim}.

Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri narrated: ”In the life-time of the Prophet we used to give one Sa' of food or one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley or one Sa' of raisins (dried grapes) as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr.”{Bukhari&Muslim}.

 

The amount of Zakatulfitr is one Sa` (2.5 kg) from what the people of that country  eat the most, and it is  lawful to give its value in currency.

 

Since the price of one kg of wheat is estimated at (60) piasters, every individual has to give (150) piasters as a minimum for Zakatulfitr, and one who wishes to give more may estimate the value of other food items such as dates and raisins in line with what they can afford, and their reward is due from Allah. It is better if it is given out on 'Eed day but if it is given on the first day of Ramadan then that is also sufficient.

It is the religious duty of all Muslims to honorably hold this symbol of God, and make sure that it is given to the needy in its due time  for it purifies the souls of those who do so. Therefore, it is due on the child and the sick who are exempted from fasting in Ramadan. Ibn Abbass(May Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet(PBUH) described Zakatulfitr as: “ Purity to the fasting Muslim from vain talk and obscenity, and food to the needy.”{Abu Dawood}.

We pray that Allah accepts our acts of obedience and forgive our sins. And Allah knows best.

 

The Mufti General of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

Prof. Haiel Abdulhafiez/ Member. Prof. Abdulnassir Abulbassal/Member

His Eminence Sheikh Sai`d Hijjawi/Member. Dr.Yahi Albtoosh/Member

Prof.Mohammad Al-Khodat/Member. Dr. Moh. Khair Al-Esaa/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaylah/Member Dr. Mohammad Al-

Zou`bi/Member

Dr. Wassif Al-Bak`kri/ Member

 

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on the cessation of blood after (40) days from delivery, but later continued sporadically during two days of Ramadan?

Once postpartum bleeding (Nifas) ceases, and the woman is certain that it won`t reoccur, then she becomes ritually pure and so she is free to make Ghusl (purificatory bath), pray, and fast. If the bleeding reoccurs before fifteen days from its cessation, and before the end of (60) days after delivery, then the ruling on postpartum bleeding is effective, and her fasting and prayer are null and void, thus she must make up the fasting that she missed and not the prayer during those particular days.

Is a person who forgot to make up missed fasts until the next Ramadan began required to pay expiatory compensation (Fidyah) alongside the makeup fast (Qada')?

 
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Whoever forgets to make up missed fasts of Ramadan (Qada') until the following Ramadan begins incurs no sin, pursuant to the statement of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): "Indeed, Allah has pardoned for my nation their mistakes, their forgetfulness, and that which they are coerced into doing." [Narrated by Ibn Majah, and Al-Bayhaqi in Al-Sunan Al-Kubra]
 
Furthermore, such an individual is not obligated to pay a expiatory compensation (Fidyah). It is stated in Bushra Al-Karim (p. 580)—one of the authoritative Shafi'i jurisprudential texts: "As for delaying it [the makeup fasts] due to a valid excuse—such as travel, breastfeeding, forgetfulness, or ignorance of the prohibition of delay (even for one living among scholars)—no Fidyah is required. This is because delaying performance during the actual month is permissible due to these excuses; hence, delaying makeup fasts is even more permissible, even if it continues for years."
And Allah Almighty knows best.

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.

Is it acceptable to perform the Aqiqah for a male child by slaughtering and distributing the first sheep, and bringing the second one cooked from the restaurant?

 

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.

It is permissible to slaughter the first sheep with the intention of Aqiqah (the newborn's sacrificial offering) and distribute it entirely [uncooked], and to slaughter the second sheep and have it cooked at a restaurant to bring home for the household. However, it must be noted that it is obligatory to give some portion of the Aqiqah in charity to the poor, even if it is a small amount, though it is preferable to send the food cooked to them.

Buying a pre-cooked, ready-made sheep from a restaurant does not suffice as an Aqiqah. However, if an agreement is made with the restaurant to explicitly slaughter a sheep with the intention of Aqiqah for the newborn, and then cook it afterward, this is permissible.

In conclusion, slaughtering the sheep and distributing it with the intention of Aqiqah is permissible, and through it, the foundational prophetic tradition (Sunnah) is fulfilled. As for simply buying a cooked sheep from a restaurant that was not specifically slaughtered with the intention of Aqiqah, it will not count as such. Conversely, if the restaurant owner is commissioned (Wakala) to handle both the slaughtering and the cooking as an Aqiqah, it is valid. And Allah the Almighty knows best.