Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(63): “Ignorance of Spouses Regarding the Necessity of Renewing their Marriage Contract after Minor Revocable Divorce“

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(63): “Ignorance of Spouses Regarding the Necessity of Renewing their Marriage Contract after Minor Revocable Divorce“

Date: 5/3/1424 AH corresponding to 7/5/2003 AD.

 

The Board received the following question:

I made revocable divorce to my wife in return for absolution after the consummation of the marriage contract. Later on, I went to my wife and her family and showed remorse over what I have done. I expressed my wish to take her back and after prolonged discussions, I managed to convince them to do so. However, being ignorant of the Sharia ruling in this regard, I took her home without renewing our marriage contract and we lived together and had a number of children. We have recently realized that we should have renewed our marriage contract. Now, we are perplexed as to what we are supposed to do, would you please guide us to do what is right in our situation?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

The Board is of the view that due to the ignorance of both spouses as regards the ruling of Sharia on their divorce and its consequences, they should make repentance and seek forgiveness for the period, which they spent without renewing their marriage contract. They should also renew their marriage contract, and the children born during that period are considered theirs because they begot them while being ignorant of the Sharia ruling in question. 

And Allah Knows Best.

Iftaa` Board

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Izz Al-Deen Al-Tamimi

                Dr. Mohammad Abu Yahia     

    Dr. Ahmad Hilayil       

       Dr. Yousef Gheezaan   

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

     Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi   

           Sheikh Naeim Mujahid      

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on water that contains ornamental fish — does it become impure on account of their waste?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The water in a pond containing ornamental fish is pure so long as it has not been altered, for a small amount of fish waste (rawth) is pardoned and overlooked — provided it does not change the water.
It is stated in Ḥāshiyat al-Jamal ʿalā Sharḥ al-Manhaj (Vol.1/P.178): "A small amount of hair from a non-edible animal is pardoned, as is a small amount of hair from a riding animal — on account of the hardship involved in avoiding it — and likewise a small amount of fish waste is pardoned, unless it alters the water." And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on performing the Witr prayer as a single rak`ah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to perform the Witr prayer as a single unit (rak‘ah). It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that a man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about the night prayer, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied: 'The night prayer is offered two by two (mathna mathna). If one of you fears the approach of dawn, let him pray a single rak‘ah to make what he has prayed odd-numbered (Witr) for him.' (Related by al-Bukhari & Muslim)). However, limiting the prayer to only one rak‘ah is considered 'contrary to the preferred way' (Khilaf al-Awla).
 
It is stated in Al-Minhaj al-Qawim Sharh al-Muqaddimah al-Hadramiyyah (p. 137): 'The minimum of Witr is one rak‘ah, but limiting it to that is contrary to what is best.'
 
The most complete form of Witr is eleven units, while the minimum level of 'perfection' is three units. It is stated in ‘Umdat al-Salik (p. 60): 'The minimum of Witr is one rak‘ah, and its maximum is eleven, performing the taslim (salutation) after every two units. The lowest level of perfection is three units with two separate taslims (meaning 2+1).' And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on a woman using contraception without her husband's knowledge if he is mistreating her?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is not permissible for a woman to use any means of delaying pregnancy without her husband's knowledge, consent, and mutual agreement. This is because having children is a sharʿī right belonging to both spouses equally in Islamic law. Imām al-Māwardī, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated: "The right to a child from a free woman is shared between them both" — meaning between the two spouses. [al-Ḥāwī al-Kabīr, 9/320]
It is therefore not permissible for either spouse to make a unilateral decision regarding the prevention of pregnancy without the consent of the other. We advise both spouses to discuss the matter with wisdom and mutual respect, so as to resolve any disagreement and arrive at a suitable solution that serves the interests of them both. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for me to eat from the animal that I slaughtered for Allah to protect my family?

It is permissible to eat from the non-vowed animal sacrifice, and the person is rewarded based on the amount of meat that he had given to the poor. However, there is no evidence in Islamic Sharia indicating that slaughtering an animal protects one`s family, but it is a way for thanking Allah, The Almighty, for his grace.