Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Date Added : 27-10-2015

 

Resolution No.(124),(11/2008): “The Penalty Clause in Debts“

Date:29/11/1429 AH, corresponding to 27/11/2008 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.

During its seventh session held on the above given date, the Iftaa` Board reviewed the penalty clause stated in some of the contracts that it had reviewed.

After thorough study and deliberation, the Board decided the following:

Giving the creditor the power to receive pecuniary charge and to claim it in case the debtor failed to repay him is called the penalty clause. This provision is invalid and renders the contract invalid, because it is from the Riba (usury/interest) of Jahilliyaah (the days and traditions of ignorance), and it is forbidden as stated in the Holy Quran. Whereas, Allah Says (what means): “but God hath permitted trade and forbidden usury.” (Al-Baqarah/275).

Receiving a pecuniary charge from the debtor in case of delay in payment is tantamount to stipulating it upon the conclusion of the contract. This is because it is the kind of Riba that the Arabs used to have at that time. They used to tell a debtor, “You either settle the debt, or add an interest.” {Kindly refer to Tafseer At-Tabari vol.3, pp.275}.

The penalty clause is an increase on the original value of the debt against delay in repayment. This increase is forbidden and invalid, whether it was stipulated in the contract such as the penalty clause, or was stipulated upon the deadline of the repayment.

Therefore, the penalty clause pertaining to debt settlement is parallel to acknowledging Riba upon concluding the contract, and this is forbidden in Islamic Sharia. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, the Grand Mufti of Jordan/ Dr. Nooh Al-Qodat

Vice Chairman of  the Iftaa` Board, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel/ Member

Sheikh Abdul-Kareem Al-Khsawneh/Member

Dr. Sa`eid Hijjawi/  Member

                   Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member

                                                              Judge Sari Attieh/ Member

          Dr. Abdurahman Ibdaah/ Member

       Dr. Mohammad Oklah/ Member

               Dr. Abdunnasser Abulbasal/ Member

                                            Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Executive Secretary of the Iftaa Board        

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

I wear braces because I had an accident. However, Iam afraid that I could die and be buried while wearing them because they are permanent installation. Is this forbidden? I also wear false teeth. Should I ask my children to pull them out after I die?

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.
If the braces are worn to get teeth back to normal, then there is no sin in that and there is also no harm in wearing false teeth. Moreover, you don`t have to have them removed after your passing away as this undermines the dignity of the dead. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

Is it permissible for a woman to shake hands with her brother-in-law?

It is forbidden for the woman to shake hands with her brother-in-law because he isn`t a Mahram (unmarriageable) of hers.

What is the ruling of Sharia on exfoliating the skin on the face?

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.
According to medical doctors, exfoliation means removing a layer of skin to expose new skin. If this procedure is harmless then it is permissible since this is a kind of treatment and not skinning. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

Is it permissible for a financially capable woman to pay the Zakat to her sons or one of them?

It is permissible for a mother to give her children from zakat if they are eligible to receive it, even though she is obligated to provide for them. This is based on the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) regarding Zainab, the wife of Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with them): "Your husband and your children are more deserving of your charity" [Al-Bukhari]. And Allah Knows Best.