Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Date Added : 05-10-2015

Resolution No.(213)(3/215) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

“Ruling on Teaching Hajj Rituals through Shapes Simulating the Ka`bah and other Places“

Date:25/ Jumadah Al-Akhirah/1436 AH, corresponding to 15/4/2015 AD.

 

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

The Board reviewed in its fourth session held on the above date the following question:

We are a public service company, and we would like to establish an educational project that aims at teaching the pillars of Hajj to school students through simulating the Hajj rituals such as the Ka`bah, sai` between Safa and Marwa, Arafaat Moutain, Mina, and the Jamaraat, to whoever desires to learn how to perform this obligatory act of worship. What is the ruling of Islamic Sharia on that?

Knowledge is prescribed in Sharia; particularly, that which is useful in worldly life and saves from Hellfire in the Hereafter, and this applies to teaching the rituals of Hajj and Umrah. Allah Says {what means}: “O ye who believe! When ye are told to make room in the assemblies, (spread out and) make room: (ample) room will God provide for you. And when ye are told to rise up, rise up God will rise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted (mystic) Knowledge. And God is well- acquainted with all ye do.” {Al-Mujadilah/11}. Also, Allah`s Apostle said regarding the virtue of being knowledgeable in the rules of Sharia: “If Allah wants to do a favor to somebody, He bestows on him, the gift of understanding the Quran and Sunna.” {Bukhari}.

Teaching Hajj rituals through creating shapes and images of holy sites that simulate those in real Hajj is permissible, rather, it is a good deed that helps people understand the correct way of performing Hajj and Umrah, for it was reported that Allah`s Apostle used to teach his companions through signs and demonstration. Abdullah Bin Masoud narrated: “The Prophet drew a square and then drew a line in the middle of it and let it extend outside the square and then drew several small lines attached to that central line, and said, "This is the human being, and this, (the square) in his lease of life, encircles him from all sides (or has encircled him), and this (line), which is outside (the square), is his hope, and these small lines are the calamities and troubles (which may befall him), and if one misses him, an-other will snap (i.e. overtake) him, and if the other misses him, a third will snap (i.e. overtake) him.” {Bukhari}.

However, it is imperative to warn visitors of these educational sites that the images and shapes simulating the Ka`bah, Safa and Marwa, Arafat, Mina, and the Jamaraat are mere educational representations, so it isn`t allowed to turn to them or glorify them, because this is restricted to the private nature of the sacred sites. It was stated in the book: “Facing the Ka`bah is intended for honoring it.” [Al-Moheet Al-Borhani vol.5/pp.396]

Moreover, it is worth stressing two points:

First: It is impermissible to belittle these images and shapes, or make them a subject of mockery.

Second: They  shouldn`t be a meticulous copy of the real sites in Hajj, rather, they should be of smaller size and hold signs that indicate their educational nature. On its part, the Board recommends that such project is supervised by the Ministry of Religious Endowments. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 Board of Iftaa`

Grand Mufti of Jordan , Sheikh Abdulkareem Khasawneh

Dr. Hayil Abdulhafeez       Sheikh Sae`id Hijjawi

Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh         Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri             Dr. Mohammad Al-Qhodaat

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh   Dr. Mohammad Al- Zou`bi

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to move a grave from its current location to another place, for example, from a garden in a home to a cemetery, knowing that the grave has been there for a long time, about fifty years?

It is not permissible to move the deceased from his grave, as this may result in breaking his bones and violating his sanctity. Such actions are not allowed. And Allah Knows Best.

I have a question regarding the deferred portion of the dowry (Mahr)*. Is the wife entitled to it only upon divorce or she can claim it even if divorce hasn`t taken place? Moreover, does she have the right to claim this portion after death of husband, even if he didn`t divorce her before that?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
In the marriage contract, it is recorded that the deferred portion of the dowry is due upon divorce or death, whatever comes first. If divorce took place first then the woman is entitled to it and if the husband died this amount must be paid from his estate. On the other hand, if the woman died then the husband becomes liable for this portion and it becomes part of the woman`s estate. We advise every husband to give this portion to his wife while alive because it is a right of hers. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
* In Islam, a Mahr is the obligation, in the form of money or possessions paid by the groom, to the bride at the time of Islamic marriage (payment also has circumstances on when and how to pay). While the mahr is often money, it can also be anything agreed upon by the bride such as jewelry, home goods, furniture, a dwelling or some land. Mahr is typically specified in the marriage contract signed upon marriage.

I work in an accounting and auditing office, and among the clients of the office are restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets that sell alcohol. Our work is limited to collecting invoices, whether purchases, sales, or expenses, and recording them in daily books. We also review income and sales taxes on behalf of these clients.

You are more knowledgeable about the nature of your work. If you see it as assisting in wrongdoing, then it is forbidden, as Allah The Exalted Says (What means): "And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression" [Al-Ma’idah/2]. However, if your work is merely documenting the reality, then I hope there is no sin upon you. The the pious predecessors (Salaf) used to take the tithe from the traders of the People of the Book, even if it included alcohol, after knowing the value of their goods. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling on performing Umrah after the latest expansion of the Mas`aa (the passage between As-Safa and Al-Marwah), is it permissible, or not?

Yes, it is permissible to perform Umrah after the latest expansion of the Sa`y area since making Sa`y between As-Safa and Al- Marwah is already observed. And Allah Knows Best.