Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(7) “ Ruling on the Guardianship of an Apostate “

Date Added : 27-10-2015

Resolution No.(7) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
      “Ruling on the Guardianship of an Apostate“

Question: Does apostasy make a father ineligible for guardianship over his family?

 

Answer: 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.

All members of the  Board have agreed that an apostate isn`t considered eligible for guardianship over his Muslim children, so long as he remains as such, for the following reasons:

1- The verse which reads (What means): “And never will God grant to the unbelievers a way (to triumphs) over the believers. “ {An-Nissa`/141}.

2- Article No.(2) of the Jordanian Constitution states that Islam is the official religion of the state.

3- According to Sharia, an apostate deserves to be killed unless he reverts to Islam, and this is why he takes the rulings of  the dead as far as his family affairs are concerned.

4- An apostate is no longer a member of the Muslim community, and this is why he takes the ruling of the dead.

Accordingly, once the  Sharia judge passes the verdict that Mr… is an apostate, and  separates him from his wife, then there is no reason in Sharia that prevents issuing a family register in the wife`s name, in which her minor children are included as she becomes responsible for them. This is provided that the new register indicates the lineage  of these children, and states that their father has become an apostate. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 Iftaa` Committee

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to offer an Udhiyah on behalf of the deceased?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering a sacrifice (Udhiyah) on behalf of the deceased is permissible. This is the position of the Hanbalis [Kashshaf al-Qina’ by al-Bahuti (Vol.6/P.428)], and it was held by al-Abbadi of the Shafi’is [Bidayat al-Muhtaj by Ibn Qadi Shuhbah (Vol.4/P.358)]; it is also narrated from some Maliki and Hanafi scholars.
 
Abu Dawud included a chapter in his Sunan titled "Chapter: Offering the Sacrifice on Behalf of the Deceased," in which he narrated from Hanash, who said: "I saw Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) sacrificing two rams. I asked him, 'What is this?' He replied, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) enjoined me to sacrifice on his behalf, so I am sacrificing on his behalf.'"
 
Abu Dawud also narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "O Allah, this is from You and for You, on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah; in the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest," then he slaughtered it. It is well known that among the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him) are those who have passed away, yet he (peace be upon him) dedicated it to his entire Ummah.
 
Furthermore, multiple Sharia texts have consistently indicated that the rewards of righteous deeds reach the deceased. This includes the permissibility of fasting on behalf of the deceased if they died owing fasts, as well as the permissibility of performing Hajj on their behalf, both of which are established in authentic Hadiths. Since the rewards for fasting—a physical act of worship—and Hajj—a physical and financial act of worship—reach the deceased, then the sacrifice (Udhiyah) is even more likely to reach them.
 
Moreover, the scholars have reached a consensus (Ijma') that the rewards of charities reach the deceased, and the Udhiyah is a form of charity and falls under its general category. Based on all of this, we hold the view that offering a sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is permissible. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on seeking forgiveness between the two Friday sermons?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to seek forgiveness (Istighfar) between the two Friday sermons (Khutbatayn), and it does not invalidate the Friday prayer (Salat al-Jumu'ah). Furthermore, it is not disliked (Makruh) to speak before the sermon, after it, or between the two sermons. Likewise, it is not disliked for one who enters during the sermon to speak if there is a need for it, provided he has not yet taken a place and settled into it. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on shaving the head of the newborn?

It is desirable to shave the head of the newborn on the seventh day from delivery, and the weight of his/her hair is given in gold , or silver as charity.

Can an Udhiyah be made up if its time is missed?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If the sacrificial animal (udhiyah) is a voluntary (nafl) offering and its prescribed time is missed after the three days of Tashriq have ended, then it is not to be made up as a sacrifice; rather, it becomes merely a sheep for meat.
 
However, if it was a vowed (nadhr) sacrifice and its time is missed, then it must still be slaughtered, and the slaughtered animal is to be treated as it would have been during its prescribed lawful time. And Allah Almighty knows best.