Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Date Added : 02-11-2015

Resolution No.(12) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

“Evaluating Diya in Jordanian Currency“

Date: 9/11/1408 A.H, 23/6/1988 A.D.

The Board has received the following question:
What is the value of Diya in Jordanian currency?
Answer: All success is due to Allah.
The Jordanian Board of Iftaa` has discussed the issue of evaluating the Diya (blood money) in Jordanian currency, and after reviewing the opinions of Muslim scholars, the evidences that they have relied on, and the different conditions of the people, it found out the following:
1- In principle, the Diya is a hundred camels whose ages vary in accordance with the type of killing: premeditated murder, quasi-intentional murder, or accidental killing. Evaluating the Diya in a form other than camels relied on the value of camels. This is based on the narration of Abu Dawood and An-Nassai who reported that the Prophet (PBUH) used to evaluate the Diya for the people of villages as four hundred dinars, or what equals that in silver based on the value of camels, which varied from time to time and market to market. At the time of the Prophet (PBUH), it ranged from four hundred dinars to eight hundred, or what equals that amount in silver: eight hundred dirhams. He (PBUH) added that those who possess cows should pay two hundred cows, and those who possess sheep should pay two thousand sheep. The Prophet (PBUH) said {what means}: “The Diya is to be paid by the Aqila (relatives of the killer from his father`s side) of the killer; each according to his degree of kinship.“ {Abu Dawood&An-Nassai}.
2- Due to the fact that camels aren`t the circulated property in the majority of the Islamic countries, the Board deems that their prices should be evaluated in the currency of these countries to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet(PBUH) who evaluated them in gold and silver (currency circulated at that time) to villagers because they possessed a few camels as mentioned in the above Hadith. Also, evaluating the price of camels in the circulated currency facilitates the payment of the Diya.
3- After consulting the people of experience as regards the value of a hundred camels in the neighboring Islamic countries, it was found out that it equals ten thousand Jordanian dinars, and the Board has approved this evaluation because it agrees with that paid as Diya in the neighboring Islamic countries. Consequently, the Board has decided that the Diya of one person killed accidentally is ten thousand Jordanian dinars.
4- The Board confirms that the Diya in accidental and quasi-intentional killing is due on the Aqila of the killer; whereas, in premeditated murder, it is due on the killer himself.
5- The Diya in premeditated and quasi-intentional killing is denser because the Prophet (PBUH) added an extra third on its original amount.
6- If the family of the killed demands Qisas (retribution) from the killer, then no Diya is due to them since Islamic Law stipulates that they demand either Diya or Qisas.
7- If a group of people collaborated in the act of killing which led to the death of someone, then each of them pays a percentage of the Diya in accordance with the degree of their liability if that was exactly determined. However, if that wasn`t possible, then all of them should pay equal amounts, whether it was premeditated murder, quasi-intentional, or accidental killing.
8- If the killed had made a mistake, or committed an act of negligence that played a role in his death, then a percentage from his Diya is reduced accordingly.
9- Recipients of the Diya may waive their share since Almighty Allah Has Urged Muslims to be forgiving. He Says (What means): “and the remission (of the man’s half) is the nearest to righteousness.“ {Al-Baqara/237}. However, none may waive the right of minors in the Diya and such an act isn`t considered effective.

10- The Diya becomes part of the killed person`s estate and is subject to the rulings of Sharia on inheritance.
11- If a pregnant woman was attacked and that attack led to the abortion of her fetus who came out dead, his Diyah is Ghorah {star or white mark on face of a horse} which equals half-tenth of a man`s Diyah (five hundred dinars). However, if her fetus came out alive, then died later on as a result of that offence, then his Diya is similar to a free man`s. And all success is due to Allah alone, and may His Blessings and Peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and all his family and companions. And Allah Knows Best.

The Board of Iftaa`
Chairman of the Board, Chief Justice, Mohammad Mohailan
The Grand Mufti of Jordan, Vice Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Izz alDeen Attamimi
        Dr. Nooh al-Qodat, Mufti of Jordanian Armed Forces 
    Dr. Ibrahim al-Keelani         Dr. Abdulsalam Abbadi
         Dr. Abdulfatah Amr              Dr. Abdulhalim Ar-Ramahi
        Mostafa Az-Zarqa                 Dr. Mahmood al-Sartawi
        Dr. Abdulssalam Al-Abbadi Dr. Mahmood Al-Awattli

This resolution was modified, Kindly refer to RES No.(26) issued on 19/12/1992AD   

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is a wife considered sinful if she asked for divorce because her husband married another woman?

A second marriage is lawful, and so it is impermissible for you to ask for divorce because of that. If you are certain that you won`t be able to deliver Allah`s rights and those of your husband`s , then it is permissible for you to ask for Khul`a (Divorce on the demand of the wife). However, you should exercise patience since after difficulties, there is easiness by the will of Allah.

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.

Zakah due on a woman`s jewelry?

Zakah (obligatory charity) isn`t due on a woman`s jewelry used for ornament, provided that the value of each peace is within the range common amongst people. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it permissible to pay the Zakah (obligatory charity) for settling the debt of a deceased relative?

It is impermissible to pay the Zakah for settling the debt of the deceased since Zakah is paid to eligible recipients who are alive. As for the debts of the deceased, they are to be settled from the estate before dividing it amongst the heirs, but if the deceased didn`t leave an estate, then it is desirable for his/her heirs to settle those debts if they can afford them. And Allah Knows Best.