Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(53): “ Ruling on Awards Offered by the Islamic Bank in Accordance with a Particular Mechanism“

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(53): "Ruling on Awards Offered by the Islamic Bank in Accordance with a Particular Mechanism“

Date: 8/8/1422 AH corresponding to 24/10/2001 AD

 

The Board recieved the following question:

What is the ruling when the Islamic Bank offers incentive awards to clients, who have investment accounts, in accordance with a particular mechanism (volume of the account, duration, added sums, and stability of the account)? How can we define the relation between the above clients and the Islamic Bank in light of these awards: a contract or an independent initiative on the part of the bank? If it is a contract, is it binding or not?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

The Board of Iftaa` is of the view that it is permissible for the executive board of the Islamic Bank to distribute cash or in-kind incentive awards on these clients, and to cover their expenses in Hajj (pilgrimage) or Umrah (minor pilgrimage) or the like, if it is entitled to do so, provided that these awards are covered from the bank`s own earnings.

Moreover, it is impermissible for the bank to cover these awards from the total of the investment profits because this entails giving a portion from the share of the owners of these accounts as a sort of contribution, and this is forbidden in Sharia because the Mudarib (bank) isn`t allowed to give from the money of the Mudarabah (co-partnership), except with the permission of the owners (clients who have investment accounts). If they allow that, then it is permissible for the bank to cover these awards from its overall profit. In this case, offering these awards is considered a donation/grant on the part of the bank, and becomes a binding promise if it had made an announcement about that earlier. In addition, it can`t be considered a condition in the Mudarabah contract between the bank and the owners of the investment accounts because some of them may receive awards; whereas, others may not.

In this case, the board of directors enjoys the authority to lay down the legal terms and regulations pertaining to giving these awards (volume of the account, duration, added sums, and withdrawals), and to determine the type of the investment account (savings, deferred etc.) eligible for that, whether to all clients or to some of them.

Moreover, it isn`t permissible for the bank to distribute these awards on the owners of credit accounts (current accounts) for there is a suspicion of Riba (usury) similar to the ruling on loans because every loan that leads to a benefit is unlawful.

Based on the aforementioned, it is obvious that the relation between the Islamic Bank and the investors in light of these awards isn`t contractual, rather, it is an individual initiative undertaken by the free will of the Bank`s Administration. And Allah Knows Best.

Iftaa` Board
Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Izz Al-Deen Al-Tamimi
            Dr. Mohammad Abu Yahia
           Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi
    Dr. Yousef Gheezaan
Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri
   Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi
        Sheikh Na`eim Mojahid

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on water present on the floor of a toilet/bathroom?

The default ruling is the purity of this water present on the bathroom floor. If one is certain or strongly suspects its impurity, then one washes whatever part of the body or clothing this impure water has touched. If one doubts its impurity, the default is purity, and we do not rule it impure based on mere doubt. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on omitting the prostration of recitation?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The prostration of recitation (Sajdat al-Tilawah) is a Sunnah for both the reader and the listener. There is no sin in omitting it, though doing so results in missing a great reward. Muslim narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'When the son of Adam recites a verse of prostration and prostrates, Shaytan withdraws weeping, saying: "Woe to him! (and in the narration of Abu Kuraib: "Woe to me!") The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate and he prostrated, so Paradise is his; and I was commanded to prostrate and I refused, so the Fire is mine."'
 
Sheikh al-Islam Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: 'It is recommended to prostrate immediately after reciting or hearing a verse of prostration. If one delays it but the interval is short, he may still prostrate. However, if the interval is long, the opportunity is missed.' [Rawdat al-Talibin Vol.1/P.323].
 
Furthermore, the prostration of recitation becomes obligatory (Wajib) in congregational prayer if the Imam prostrates, out of the necessity of following him. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

Is it permissible to purchase the Udhiyah on installments?

It is permissible to purchase the sacrificial animal (uḍḥiyyah) on installments or by borrowing its price. However, it is not recommended for the poor to do so, because they are not required to offer a sacrifice, and Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. If doing so would lead to negligence in providing for one's dependents (nafaqah wājibah), then giving precedence to obligatory maintenance over borrowing to buy the sacrifice is appropriate. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "It is sufficient sin for a person to withhold food from those whom he is responsible to support."
 
Furthermore, the sacrifice is valid from one who has a debt, but it is preferable (awlā) to repay the debt first, especially if the debt is due immediately (ḥāll). And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it enough to say Tasbeeh (Saying Subhaana Rabbiya Al-‘Atheem during Rukoo`, and saying Subhaana Rabbiya Al-A‘laa during Sujood ) once, or twice during Rukoo`(Bowing in prayer) and Sujood (Prostration)?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds                                                                                                                                                                  Yes, saying Tasbeeh once during Rukoo` and Sujood is enough, provided that the worshiper`s attentiveness of the heart isn`t undermined during each. As regards the recompense, it depends on the number of Tasbeeh. And Allah Knows Best.