Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(207): "Ruling on Testing Drugs on People for Money"

Date Added : 05-10-2015

Resolution  No.(207)( 17 /2014), by The Board of Iftaa', Researches and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Testing Drugs on People for Money"

Date 30/Zolqidah/1435AH, corresponding to 25/9/2014AD

 

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

The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies reviewed, in its twelfth session held on Thursday(30/Zolqidah/1435 A.H)-(25/9/2014 A.D), the question submitted by one of the citizens and reads as follows: 

Some research and studies centers in Jordan produce certain medications which they experiment on some people in return for money, and before distributing them in the market. What is the ruling on cooperating with such centers for this purpose in return for money ?

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

Protecting one`s life is among the five necessities which the Islamic Sharia came to preserve, whether by prevention, or by cure as shown by the following verse: “Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God hath been to you Most Merciful!.” {An-Nisa/29}.

Protecting life is considered in its totality according to the Sharia maxim: the general interest is given precedence over the private interest. Also, Al-Izz Bin Abdusalaam (May Allah bless his soul) said: “The general interest is tantamount to the private necessity. “

Accordingly, testing a medication on a human being-if the doctors thought it was most probably useful- is a permissible act, provided that the following conditions are met:

First: The research centers should take all the necessary precautions and carry out all the experiments which indicate that the medication is chemically sound and doesn`t cause clear damage to the healthy, or the unhealthy persons.

Second: The research and the experiments should be conducted by the authorized  centers which adhere to the most elevated standards of methodical academic research under the supervision of qualified experts.

Third: The research centers should adhere to the laws and regulations that govern their work in a bid to avert suspicion, negligence, and competition among the manufacturing companies at the expense of people`s health. We call on the legislative and supervisory institutions to monitor this sector and address any shortage, or weakness in the legislations from which the defect is most likely to happen.

If the aforesaid conditions were met, then there is no harm, by The Will of Allah, and it becomes permissible for the citizen to make a sacrifice by trying the medication, even for money. This is because, in the past, the Muslim jurists permitted taking medications although they didn`t undergo any experimentations and no precautions were taken before trying them on people. Thus, the questioner should know that it is permissible for an individual to cooperate with such centers if they meet the above conditions. And Allah Knows Best.

 

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

Prof. Ahmad Helayel/ Member

Dr. Hayel Abdolhafeez/ Member

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

Prof. Mohammad Al-Qodah/ Member

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakkri/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on performing Tarawih in sets of four rak‘ahs with only one Tasleem?

It is not permissible to combine more than two rak‘ahs with a single Tasleem in Tarawih prayer. Whoever does so, their prayer is invalid. Shaykh al-Islam Imam Muhammad al-Ramli (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: "If a person prays four rak‘ahs of the Tarawih prayer with a single Tasleem, it is not valid if they did so intentionally and with knowledge [of the prohibition]. Otherwise, it becomes an 'absolute voluntary prayer' (nafl mutlaq); because it is contrary to what has been prescribed." [Nihayat al-Muhtaj, Vol.2/P.127].

My father has debts and asked me to repay them years ago, and I promised him I would do so upon his death — is it permissible for me to go back on my promise given that I am unable to repay them, especially since he refuses to contribute to repayment on the grounds that the debt has become my responsibility by virtue of my promise?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The established principle is that a father's debt is to be repaid from his own wealth, if he possesses sufficient means. As for the promise made by the son to repay it on his father's behalf, fulfilling such a promise is strongly recommended, and breaking it is considerably disliked. Shaykh al-Islām Imām al-Nawawī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "Fulfilling a promise is emphatically recommended, and breaking it is severely disliked. The evidences for this from the Qurʾān and the Sunnah are well known." [Rawḍat al-Ṭālibīn,Vol. 2/P.278] Shaykh al-Islām Imām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī, may Allah have mercy upon him, further states: "The reason fulfilling a promise is not obligatory and breaking it is not forbidden is that a promise is in the nature of a gift, and a gift does not become binding except upon receipt." [Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib,Vol. 2/P.487]
Given that the son does not possess the financial means to fulfil his promise to his father, breaking this promise falls beyond his capacity — and Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. Since the father himself possesses sufficient wealth to settle his own debt, repayment must be made from his own funds. Should he pass away before doing so, the debt is to be settled from his estate. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

How can I love the prayer (Salah) and start praying?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Love for the prayer (Salah) comes when you realize that this world is fleeting and the Hereafter is everlasting. Your prayer is the righteous deed that will comfort you in your grave and be your salvation before Allah in the Hereafter. Do you not wish to attain tranquility in this life and Paradise in the next? Reflect upon your state and do not delay, for life does not wait. We ask Allah to grant us and you steadfastness (Thabat).

My husband discloses all our marital disputes to his family. What is the ruling of Islamic Law on this?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is impermissible to divulge spousal secrets or expose one another's faults, whether during the subsistence of the marriage or after its dissolution. The foundational principle governing marital relations is that it is built upon confidentiality and mutual affection. Divulging marital secrets constitutes a breach of trust and a grave sin.
 
A husband ought not to resort to his family to complain about his wife over every dispute, nor is the reverse permissible for the wife, especially when such actions lead to stirring up malice and animosity between the spouses or between their respective families.
 
Islam has enjoined the preservation of secrets in general and commanded against revealing them; safeguarding the privacy of the home holds an even greater priority. And Allah Almighty knows best.