Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(146): "Ruling on a Muslim Taking his Share of the Estate from a Usurious Bank

Date Added : 05-10-2015

Resolution  No. (146) (11/2010), By The Board of Iftaa', Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on a Muslim Taking  his Share of the Estate from a Usurious Bank"

Date: 2/9/1431 A.H corresponding to 12/8/2010 A.D

 

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

The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies reviewed, in its 9th session held on Thursday(2/9/1431A.H) corresponding to (12/8/2010 A.D), the following  question:

My father passed away, and left us a sum of money which our mother didn`t divide  amongst us, rather , she kept it deposited  in a usurious bank for  thirty years; is it permissible for me to take my share and what is the ruling on paying the  Zakah due on it ?

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

What the mother did is unlawful in Islamic law because once the father died, the money  is transferred to the possession of the heirs-each according to his/her share. The degree of unlawfulness as far as the mother`s act is concerned increases by her dealing in Riba (usury); therefore, she should seek repentance, ask for forgiveness, withdraw the money from that bank and divide it amongst the eligible heirs. On their part, the heirs must  get rid of the usurious amount in their shares  by giving  it up to charity, and Allah will reward them for doing so since He, The Most Exalted, Says (What means): “O ye who believe! Fear God, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers. If ye do it not, Take notice of war from God and His Apostle: But if ye turn back, ye shall have your capital sums: Deal not unjustly, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly.” {Al-Baqarah/278-279}.

The heirs are also obliged to give the Zakah due on their shares for one year in case each of them reached Nisaab (i.e. minimum amount of wealth liable for the payment of zakat). 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 Hilayel

Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member

His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa

Judge Sarrie Attieh

Dr. Abdulrahman Ibbdah/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Oklah/ Member

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

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Gharaibeh/ Member

Executive Secretary of the Iftaa` board, Dr. Ahmad Al-has`sanat

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on forgoing the sacrifice (uḍḥiyah) for one who is financially able to offer it?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is disliked (makrūh) for one for whom the uḍḥiyah (sacrifice) is recommended (Sunnah) to forgo offering it, on account of the scholarly disagreement regarding whether it is obligatory. And Allah, the Most High, knows best.

What is the ruling on someone who combines two prayers as an early combination (jam‘ taqdīm), and then arrives at his place of residence during the time of the second prayer — is he obligated to repeat it?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Whoever combines Ẓuhr and ‘Aṣr while traveling — that is, before he has reached the built-up boundaries of his hometown [upon returning] — his combination (jam‘) of the two prayers remains valid, even if he arrives at his place of residence before the time for the second prayer has actually begun. This is because the combination was already validly completed with its proper conditions fulfilled, and he is not obligated to repeat the second prayer [upon arrival].
A traveler is permitted to make use of the concessions of shortening (qaṣr) and combining (jam‘) prayers once the distance of travel reaches (81 km) or more, provided that his journey is a permissible one, and that he begins shortening and combining only after actually setting out on the journey and passing beyond the built-up limits of the city in which he resides. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

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]
 

 
What is the ruling on someone who eats or drinks while uncertain about the arrival of dawn, then later finds out that dawn had not yet broken?

If a person does this, their fast remains valid, as it is confirmed that they ate during the night. Similarly, if someone eats while uncertain and remains unsure whether they ate before or after dawn, their fast is still valid. This is based on the maxim of Sharia Law, which states: "Certainty is not removed by doubt." Certainty, here, is the presence of night, and the doubt concerns the arrival of dawn. Therefore, one relies on certainty and disregards doubt.