Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No. (150): "Ruling on Competitions Conducted Via Mobile Phone Messages"

Date Added : 06-09-2015

Resolution  No.(150) (15/2010) by The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

                "Ruling on Competitions Conducted Via Mobile Phone Messages"

Date: (2/9/1431A.H); (12/8/2010 A.D)

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may his peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions:

During its ninth session held on the above given date, the Board reviewed the following question:

What is the ruling on competitions that are conducted via mobile phones, where a person competes by sending an SMS/MMS that costs more than the regular message. The prize is usually won by one of the competitors while others get nothing in return for their participation ?

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

Competitions that are conducted via mobile phone messages which cost more than their regular cost, where the competitor is likely to win or lose whether he won the prize, or lost the cost of the message, is from the forbidden gambling mentioned in the Quran and the Prophetic tradition, and  which the Muslim scholars have considered one of the major sins. Allah Said in this regard (What means): “O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan’s handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper. Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain?” {Al-Ma`ida/91-92}.

The Islamic Law (Sharia) forbids all forms of transactions that are based on gambling, whether they are part of a competition , or else. The Islamic Law has also forbidden gambling since it is a means of eating up people`s money unjustly and employing it in matters that are useless to the Muslim Ummah (nation). As for the modern forms of gambling, they are most corruptive to societies  and most consuming to their fortunes. And Allah Knows Best.

 

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

Vice Head of the Iftaa` Board, Dr. Ahmad Helayel

Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member

His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Judge Sari Attieh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member

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

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Gharaibeh/ Member

Dr.Abdulrahmann Ibbdah/ Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Which takes precedence: the 'aqīqah or the uḍḥiyyah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The 'aqīqah is an act of worship through which a servant draws closer to Allah the Almighty in gratitude for the blessing of a newborn child. It is a confirmed Sunnah for those who are financially capable, and Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can bear.
However, the uḍḥiyyah takes precedence, as it is a confirmed Sunnah established from the Prophet ﷺ through stronger and more numerous narrations — indeed, the Ḥanafī scholars hold it to be obligatory. Furthermore, its time is narrow and limited, expiring with the passing of the days of Eid, whereas the 'aqīqah may be delayed until one becomes financially capable of performing it.
And Allah Almighty knows best.

Which is superior: The Udhiyah (Sacrificial Offering) or giving its value in Charity (Sadaqah)?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Performing the Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) is superior to giving its monetary value as charity (Sadaqah) to the poor and needy. This is because the Udhiyah is one of the manifest symbols of the religion. Allah the Almighty says {what means}: "That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts." [Al-Hajj/32]. This is further supported by the explicit and authentic Hadiths regarding its virtue, and the fact that the Prophet ﷺ and the Rightly Guided Caliphs after him consistently performed the sacrifice. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the amount of food to be given to a needy person for fidyah and kaffarah?

The amount of food to be given to a needy person is 600 grams of wheat or rice.
According to the Hanafi school, it is permissible to give the monetary equivalent instead, and this is the ruling issued by the General Iftaa` Department.

Is it permissible for a husband to stop his wife from visiting her family?

A husband shouldn`t stop his wife from visiting her family, and it is disliked for him to do so because such an act makes them harbor feelings of hatred against him.