Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(13): “The Prophecy of Adam (PBUH)“

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(13) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:   

 “The Prophecy of Adam (PBUH)“

Date: 8/7/1409 AH, 14/2/1989 AD.

 

Question: What is the ruling of Sharia on the Prophecy of Adam (PBUH), and on those who deny it?
Answer: All success is due to Allah.
The Board is of the view that the Prophecy of Adam (PBUH) is established in the Quran and the Sunnah  (Prophetic tradition) because in Sharia terms a Prophet is: a man to whom a law was revealed,and this definition applies to Adam (PBUH) as shown in the following verses: “God did choose Adam and Noah, the family of Abraham,and the family of ’Imran above all people.“ {Al-Imran/33} also, He, The Most Exalted Said (What means) “We had already, beforehand, taken the covenant of Adam, but he forgot: and We found on his part no firm resolve.“ {Taha/115}, “But his Lord chose him (for His Grace): He turned to him, and gave him Guidance. “ {Taha/122}, and “For We assuredly sent amongst every People an apostle, (with the Command), "Serve God, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom God guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).“ {An-Nahil/36}.
Before Noah (PBUH), humanity was in a dire need for a divine guidance, and that was what Adam (PBUH) has delivered to his sons.
The Quranic verses about Adam-even though they haven`t stated his prophecy as explicitly as that of other Prophets-have strongly indicated his prophecy. Moreover, the majority of the interpreters of the Quran stated that Adam is one of the Prophets; therefore, acknowledging his prophecy is one of the basics of Islamic creed.
Our Scholars have also relied on Sunnah in proving the prophecy of Adam (PBUH). One of the most sound narrations in this regard is the one reported after Abi Ummamah Al-bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) and reads: “A man said to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH): O Messenger of Allah! A prophet was Adam? He replied: Yes.“ {Ibn Habban, Tabarani, and Al-Hakim}. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is considered a woman`s Awrah (parts of the body that must be concealed during prayer) while offering prayer, and is her foot part of it?

A woman`s whole body is considered an Awrah while offering prayer except the hands and the face. Thus, her foot is an Awrah as well. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it permissible for a woman in her menstrual period to recite from the Mus-haf (copy of the Quran ), or to recite by heart?

A menstruating woman is permitted neither to recite nor to touch the Quran according to what Ali Bin Abi Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported about the Prophet (PBUH) who was only held from reciting the Holy Quran by Janabah (Major impurity) [Al-Tirmizi in a sound Hadith]. Although Janabah and menstruation are major impurities, a menstruating woman is permitted to supplicate Allah (Duaa`) and make Zikr (Tasbihat ), even if these involved saying words from the Holy Quran, provided that she does not mean the words for themselves but as a supplication, or Zikr. Moreover, she is rewarded for not reciting the Quran during her menstrual period because she abided by the injunctions of Allah.

What is the ruling on wiping over socks?

It is not permissible to wipe over most common socks today because the conditions for wiping are not met. The concession was reported for wiping over leather socks (khuff) and socks (jowrab) with conditions: They must be thick, not allowing poured water to penetrate, enable one to walk in them, be worn while in a state of purity (from ablution), cover the entire foot up to the ankles (meaning covering the protruding ankle bones), and not be torn. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

My father has debts and asked me to repay them years ago, and I promised him I would do so upon his death — is it permissible for me to go back on my promise given that I am unable to repay them, especially since he refuses to contribute to repayment on the grounds that the debt has become my responsibility by virtue of my promise?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The established principle is that a father's debt is to be repaid from his own wealth, if he possesses sufficient means. As for the promise made by the son to repay it on his father's behalf, fulfilling such a promise is strongly recommended, and breaking it is considerably disliked. Shaykh al-Islām Imām al-Nawawī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "Fulfilling a promise is emphatically recommended, and breaking it is severely disliked. The evidences for this from the Qurʾān and the Sunnah are well known." [Rawḍat al-Ṭālibīn,Vol. 2/P.278] Shaykh al-Islām Imām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī, may Allah have mercy upon him, further states: "The reason fulfilling a promise is not obligatory and breaking it is not forbidden is that a promise is in the nature of a gift, and a gift does not become binding except upon receipt." [Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib,Vol. 2/P.487]
Given that the son does not possess the financial means to fulfil his promise to his father, breaking this promise falls beyond his capacity — and Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. Since the father himself possesses sufficient wealth to settle his own debt, repayment must be made from his own funds. Should he pass away before doing so, the debt is to be settled from his estate. And Allah the Almighty knows best.