Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(172)"Ruling on the Religion of Minors whose Father Has Reverted to Islam"

Date Added : 27-10-2015

Resolution  No.(172) (4/2012) by The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"Ruling on the Religion of Minors whose Father Has Reverted to Islam"

Date: (25/6/1433  A.H); (17/5/2012  A.D)

 

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

The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies reviewed, in its third session held on Thursday (25/Jumada al-Akhirah/1433 A.H); corresponding to(17/5/2012 A.D), the question sent by the Bureau of Civil Status, and reads as follows:
Would you kindly clarify the ruling of Islamic Sharia and any other details concerning the repercussions of a father`s proclaiming Islam on his children: minors, adults, and those born after he had embraced Islam?
After careful study and deliberation, the Board decided what follows:
Once the father embraces Islam, his children who haven`t reached puberty follow him in faith  as well. This is according to the consensus of Muslims scholars, jurists, and the verdicts of the Muslim Judges throughout the different stages of the Islamic history. They have established this ruling on the following verse: “And those who believe and whose families follow them in Faith,- to them shall We join their families. “{At-tur/21}. Joining their families to them in The Hereafter is an evidence on joining  their families to their faith in the Life of this world. This is  why the interpreters said regarding  the meaning of this verse; “Their families follow them in faith.”
Embracing Islam by the father is one of the most solid means of proving that his children follow his faith as Al-Shirbini( May Allah bless his soul) said: “ Judging that a child is a Muslim is based on two aspects: one of them-the strongest- is by birth, so if one of his/her parents is a Muslim ,then he/she is a Muslim by consensus of the Muslim scholars and in order to give preference to the Islamic faith.’{ Moghni Al-Mohtajj(3/606),the quotation has been slightly changed}. As for the adult, he/she remains on his/her faith until he/she chooses to embrace Islam voluntarily, if they don`t, then they aren`t considered Muslims. 
Based on the aforementioned, embracing Islam by the father indicates that his underage children follow his faith, and the same goes for the ones born after the father had embraced Islam. However, it is impermissible for the minor to revert to his mother`s faith in case she didn`t embrace Islam. And Allah knows best.

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh.
Vice Head of the Iftaa`Board, Prof. Ahmad Helayel
His Excellency, Prof. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi/ Member
Prof. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member
His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member
Pro. Mohammad Al-Qhodat/ Member
Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member
     Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member
Dr.Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member
 

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on the prayer of zawal?

 

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is recommended (sunnah) to pray four rakʿāt — either with a single tasleem or as two separate sets of two rakʿāt — immediately following the sun's decline from its zenith (zawāl). This prayer is distinct from the regular Sunnah prayer of Ẓuhr (sunnat al-ẓuhr al-rātibah), as explicitly stated by the Shāfiʿī jurists.
It is mentioned in Nihāyat al-Muḥtāj: "The prayer of zawāl is offered after the sun's decline — so were one to perform it before that, it would not count. It consists of two or four rakʿāt and is distinct from the Sunnah of Ẓuhr, as is evident from the fact that it is mentioned separately after the regular Sunnah prayers, and it becomes a make-up prayer (qaḍāʾ) if a long period of time passes by customary reckoning... Al-ʿAlqamī stated: 'Scholars refer to this as the Sunnah of Zawāl, and it is distinct from the four rakʿāt that constitute the Sunnah of Ẓuhr.' Our shaykh said: Al-Ḥāfiẓ al-ʿIrāqī stated that among those who explicitly affirmed its recommendation was al-Ghazālī in al-Iḥyāʾ, in the chapter on devotional litanies, noting that there is no tasleem between them — meaning there is no break between each pair of rakʿāt."
The time of the sun's decline (zawāl) marks the very beginning of the time for the Ẓuhr prayer.
And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on having an intention (Niyyah) for every prayer?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Intention (Niyyah) is a pillar (Rukn) without which the prayer is not valid. The worshiper must have an intention for every prayer, meaning they must consciously intend the act of worship they are performing. Its timing must coincide with the opening Takbir (Takbirat al-Ihram). It is not a requirement to utter it verbally; rather, doing so is considered a recommended Sunnah. There are three levels of intention:
 
1-If the prayer is obligatory (Fard): It is mandatory to include the Intent (to pray), the Specification (which prayer, e.g., 'Asr), and the Obligation (recognizing it as a Fard). For example, one should bring to mind or say: 'I intend to pray the Fard of 'Asr.'
 
2-If it is a voluntary prayer restricted by a specific time or cause (Sunnah Muqayyadah): It is mandatory to include the Intent and the Specification. For example: 'I intend to pray the Sunnah before Zuhr' or 'I intend to pray Duha.'
 
3-If it is an absolute voluntary prayer (Nafl Mutlaq): It is sufficient to simply have the Intent to pray. For example: 'I intend to pray.'
 
And Allah the Exalted knows best.

Is it permissible to sacrifice imported livestock (Such as Romanian, Australian, etc.)?

 

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
As long as the sheep meets the prescribed Sharia age and is free from disqualifying defects, it is valid for sacrifice regardless of its country of origin. Therefore, it is permissible to offer sacrifices from various sources, such as: Romanian, Australian, Spanish, Indian, Sudanese, local (Baladi) livestock, and others. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on performing ablution (wudu') and ritual bathing (ghusl) with Zamzam water?

It is permissible to perform ablution and ritual bathing with Zamzam water. However, scholars disliked using it for cleaning after relieving oneself (istinja'). And Allah the Almighty knows best.