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

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.

What is the ruling on speaking while relieving oneself?

It is disliked for one relieving himself to speak while doing so, except out of necessity. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

How should I deal with the whispers of the devil with regard to ablution and purity?

Whispers in ablution are from the devil, and so you should take refuge in Allah from the devil`s evil suggestions that aim to distort the religion. Thus, once an organ is completely pure, don`t question its purity since having whispers doesn`t mean that the purity is invalid as it has already been established.

Is it permissible for someone with a physically demanding job, such as a baker or construction worker, to break their fast?

It is not permissible for someone with a physically demanding job to start the day intending to break their fast. They must make the intention to fast at night and begin fasting. However, if they reach a point where fasting becomes unbearably difficult, they may break their fast and make up for it later.