Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(202): "Ruling on Collecting Zakah in Return for a Known Percentage from the Collected Amount"

Date Added : 05-10-2015

Resolution  No.(202) (12/2014), by The Board of Iftaa', Researches and Islamic Studies:

 Ruling on Collecting Zakah in Return for a Known Percentage from the Collected Amount

Date: (25/Shawal/1435 A.H); corresponding to (21/8/2014 A.D)

 

All praise is due to Allah, peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon his family and companions.

The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies reviewed, in its tenth session held on Thursday (25/Shawal/1435 A.H)-(21/8/2014 A.D), the formal letter of His Eminence, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Religious Endowments, and it reads as follows:

A company working in the media sector is about to start a TV show for raising monetary and in-kind donations for the Zakaah Fund. The show includes conducting field visits to beneficiaries of the Fund in order to brief them on its various activities and projects for promotional purposes provided that (25%) of the donations is used to cover the expenses of production, photography..etc. Would your grace refer this matter to the Iftaa` Board in order to clarify the ruling of Sharia in this regard.

After careful study and deliberation, the Board decided what follows:

The funds of Zakah (obligatory charity) are a trust at the disposal of the Zakah Fund. The Fund is to safe keep, take care of and spend from these funds in line with what Allah, The Almighty, Has Prescribed. He Says (What means): “Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of God; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by God, and God is full of knowledge and wisdom.” {At-Tawbah/60}.

Giving a portion from the collected Zakah funds to such a company is inconsistent with  any of the eight categories mentioned in the aforesaid verse since those employed to administer the funds are entitled to receive an amount parallel to their work and effort, and in accordance with specified rulings that aren`t met in this situation particularly since the company is charging a percentage that could grow to become thousands of JDs which results in squandering the Zakah funds in channels other than those for which it has originally been prescribed. This is in addition to the fact that Zakaah hasn`t been prescribed to be a factor in multiplying the wealth of media companies. Accordingly, we deem that such a project is impermissible from the view point of Sharia. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Head of the Iftaa` Board, The Mufti General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh.

Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member

His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member

Prof. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on a second congregation [being formed] in the mosque?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is disliked to deliberately seek to establish a second congregation in a mosque that is not one frequented by transient passersby — such as a neighborhood mosque with a regular, appointed imam — unless permission is granted by that imam, since doing so implies criticism and an affront to him. However, if the mosque is one frequented by transient passersby — such as mosques located in marketplaces — then a second or even third congregation is permissible there, whether or not it has a regular, appointed imam, and whether or not that imam gives his permission. This is because such mosques experience a continuous flow of people coming and going, so no implication of criticism toward the imam is perceived in the formation of multiple congregations in that setting. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

I broke my oath and am now obligated to pay the expiation for a broken oath (kaffārat al-yamīn). Would it be valid to fulfill this by inviting the poor and needy to a meal for them to eat from?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
The expiation for a broken oath (kaffārat al-yamīn) is given to the poor (fuqarā') and needy (masākīn), and it must be given in the form of ownership (tamlīk) transferred to them of the required amount — namely, one mudd of the staple food of the locality, or its equivalent monetary value. It isn`t valid to invite the poor or needy to a meal prepared for them to eat from, as this does not constitute "ownership" (tamlīk) but merely "permission to partake" (ibāḥah).
Imam al-Shirbīnī (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "What is intended is that ownership be transferred to them; therefore, providing them with lunch or dinner [as a meal to eat from] isn`t valid." [Summarized from Mughnī al-Muhtāj,Vol. 5/P.50]. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for a young man and a young woman to enter into a covenant as a married couple without having a true seclusion (Khalwah) until their marriage contract is officially concluded?

The relation which isn`t based on a marriage contract is forbidden, and entering into a covenant as a married couple is unaccounted for and is from the evil suggestions of the devil.

Is it permissible for a suitor to go out with his fiancé upon the conclusion of the marriage contract?

Upon the conclusion of the marriage contract, the woman becomes lawful for her husband. However, the customary practice should be observed in this regard since rights could be lost in case of divorce, or death.