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 for a praying person to make supplication in each Sajdah (a prostration) of obligatory prayer?

It is permissible for a praying person, whether praying individually, or in congregation, to make supplication during Sujood (prostration) in obligatory, or voluntary prayers. However, it is disliked for the Imam to do so since he is required to spare the prayer performers any sort of hardship, unless he is leading a certain group who don`t mind him extending the prayer.

Is it permissible for a suitor to go out with his fiancé upon the conclusion of the marriage contract?

Upon the conclusion of the marriage contract, the woman becomes lawful for her husband. However, the customary practice should be observed in this regard since rights could be lost in case of divorce, or death.

Is touching a non-Mahram woman invalidates person's ablution?

Touching non-Mahram woman is prohibited, and according to the Shafiee's, it invalidates the ablution. And Allah Knows Best.

A woman died at the age of ninety. Her living children are nine: two sons and two daughters. The youngest of her grandchildren, from her son who passed away one year before her, is aged thirty-two. Are these grandchildren entitled to the obligatory bequest although they are aged thirty-two and above?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
A Muslim isn`t obligated to leave a bequest to his grandchildren whose father had passed away; rather, this act is recommended. Therefore, if he left a bequest whereby they get less than one third of the estate then Allah will reward him for that. However, if he left no bequest for them then they get nothing because their paternal uncles are alive and they are closer to the deceased and more entitled to inherit him. This is the position of the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence. However, the Personal Status Law didn`t adopt this position; rather, it gave them the same amount to which their father is entitled when alive but his father or mother are dead; provided that it doesn`t exceed one third of the estate. Therefore, we advise them (Grandchildren) to relinquish this share of the inheritance. If not, then we advise their paternal uncles to overlook the amounts taken from their shares and given to their paternal nephews. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.