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.

 

 

 

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

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.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on a latecomer who joins the imam during the standing position of the first rakʿah but was unable to complete the recitation of al-Fātiḥah?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
If a latecomer (masbuq) joins the prayer while the imam is standing, he should begin reciting Sūrat al-Fātiḥah immediately, without pausing to recite the opening supplication (duʿāʾ al-istiftāḥ) or the seeking of refuge (taʿawwudh). If the imam bows before he completes al-Fātiḥah, he follows the imam into the bow and leaves whatever remains of al-Fātiḥah — the imam bears it on his behalf.
It is stated in ʿUmdat al-Sālik (p. 47): "If a latecomer finds the imam standing and is confident that he has enough time to recite the taʿawwudh and al-Fātiḥah in full, he may do so. If he is uncertain, he should neither recite the opening supplication nor the taʿawwudh, but rather begin directly with al-Fātiḥah. If the imam bows before he completes it, he follows him into the bow — provided he had not already begun the opening supplication or the taʿawwudh. If he had begun either of them, he continues reciting al-Fātiḥah for as long as he spent on them." And Allah the Almighty knows best.

I have a brother who is harsh in his dealings [with me], and many problems have occurred between us, and I do not intend to reconcile with him. What is the ruling of Islamic Law on that?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is not permissible for a Muslim to abandon or boycott his fellow Muslim brother for more than three days. This is based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "It is not lawful for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three [days], meeting each other but one turns away and the other turns away, and the better of the two is the one who initiates the greeting (salam)." (Reported by al-Bukhari.)
A Muslim must strive to end such estrangement (hajr), so as not to fall under the prohibition mentioned in the hadith. If he takes the initiative to reconcile but the other party does not respond, then there is no sin upon him. We remind [ourselves] of the saying of Allah, the Exalted: "And let them pardon and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (An-Nur/22). And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

Does an internal medical examination for a woman affect her fast?

An internal medical examination for a woman invalidates the fast because it involves the entry of a foreign object into the body cavity (jauf) while fasting.
In this case, the woman must refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day out of respect for Ramadan and make up for the missed fast after Ramadan.
Such an examination should be avoided in Ramadan and other months unless absolutely necessary, as exposing the private parts is only permissible in cases of necessity.
If necessary, a woman should seek a Muslim female doctor first. If one is unavailable, she may see a female doctor from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians). If neither is available, she may consult a trustworthy and competent Muslim male doctor.