Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(20): “Ruling on Choking Male Chicks “

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(20) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:    

“Ruling on Choking Male Chicks“

Date: 6/7/1411 AH, 21/1/1991 AD

 

We have received the following question:
What is the ruling of Sharia on choking male chicks because rearing them in poultry farms is costly?
Answer: All success is due to Allah.
The Board believes that this act is forbidden in Sharia for the following reasons:
1- It is torturing animals, and Allah the Almighty has forbidden such a thing. Our Prophet (PBUH) said: “A woman entered the (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she had tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.“ {Bukhari}.
2- It is killing an edible animal for a purpose other than eating, and this is forbidden as well. Our Prophet (PBUH) said {what means}: “Whoever kills a sparrow or a bird of bigger size for entertainment (not to eat it because of being hungry), Allah will call him to account on the Day of Resurrection. The companions asked: how? He said: he should have killed it, then ate it; not have cut off its head and thrown it away.” {An-Nassai}.
3- It is killing a tied or confined animal, and our Prophet (PBUH) has forbidden that as well.
Accordingly, the Board of Iftaa` recommends that all Muslims and people in charge stop such an act which involves torturing animals, and the same applies to similar acts committed against human beings. We hope that they would follow the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) who said in this regard: “Allah has written kindness on everything, so if you kill a person e.g. by Qisas (retribution) do it in a merciful manner, if you slaughter an animal, do it in a merciful manner as well; each of you should sharpen his knife to relieve his kill.“ {Muslim}.
It isn`t permissible to waste these chicks in that way, or slaughter them for a purpose other than eating, rather, they should be taken care of until they are sold even for a small profit since a Muslim should exert every effort to adhere to the Rulings of Allah The Almighty, and not to set making a profit as his sole target. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
.

                        Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice Mohammad Mohailan

                                                         The Grand Mufti of JordanIzz Addeen At-Tamimi                                                                Dr. Ibrahim Al-Khailani 

                         Dr. Ahmad Al-Qodat

                              Dr. Ahmad Hilayil         

                      Dr. Ratib Az-zahir

                            Dr. Mostafa Az-zarka

                                  Dr. Yaseen Daradkih       

                                     Dr. Abdulhaleem Ar-ramahi

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Are school exams a valid excuse for breaking the fast in Ramadan?

School and university exams are not considered a valid excuse for breaking the fast, as most students take their exams while fasting without experiencing extreme hardship. Fasting does not conflict with exam preparation, and a Muslim seeks strength in obedience to Allah for both worldly and spiritual matters.

Does buying meat equivalent to the weight of a slaughtered animal and distributing it avail for an udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our Master the Messenger of Allah.
 
That does not avail for the sacrifice (uḍḥiyyah), because the sacrifice necessarily requires slaughtering an animal from the category of anʿām (camels, cattle, and sheep/goats) within a specified time.
 
Rather, that is considered a form of charity (ṣadaqah) for which one is rewarded. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Which takes precedence: the 'aqīqah or the uḍḥiyyah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The 'aqīqah is an act of worship through which a servant draws closer to Allah the Almighty in gratitude for the blessing of a newborn child. It is a confirmed Sunnah for those who are financially capable, and Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can bear.
However, the uḍḥiyyah takes precedence, as it is a confirmed Sunnah established from the Prophet ﷺ through stronger and more numerous narrations — indeed, the Ḥanafī scholars hold it to be obligatory. Furthermore, its time is narrow and limited, expiring with the passing of the days of Eid, whereas the 'aqīqah may be delayed until one becomes financially capable of performing it.
And Allah Almighty knows best.

How is the meat of the 'aqīqah to be distributed?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
If the 'aqīqah is a recommended one (mandūbah), it is obligatory to give some portion of it in charity to the poor — even if the amount is small — with the minimum being approximately half a kilogram of meat.
The most preferable manner of distribution is to divide it into three equal portions, as with the uḍḥiyyah:
 
One third for the guardian and his household to eat from
One third to be given in charity to the poor
One third to be gifted to friends and neighbours, even if they are wealthy
 
It is furthermore more preferable to send the food to the poor already cooked, rather than inviting them to come and eat. And Allah Almighty knows best.