Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(68): “Ruling on Investing and trading in Stocks of Public Shareholding Companies“

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(68): “Ruling on Investing and trading in Stocks of Public Shareholding Companies“

Date: 5/8/1424 AH corresponding to 1/10/2003 AD.

 

The Board received the following question:

What is the Ruling of Islamic Sharia on investing and trading in stocks of public shareholding companies?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

After careful study and deliberation, the Board believes that investing and trading in stocks of public shareholding companies, which deal in illegal business such as trading in wine or producing it, is forbidden, and the same ruling applies to similar companies.

As regards companies that deal in lawful business, which was slightly mixed with that which is unlawful such as dealing in usury, investing in them is permissible, provided that the investors remove the usurious amounts from their profits and give them to the poor and needy Muslims. 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     

    Sheikh Mahmoud Shwayyaat

Dr. Yousef Gheezaan

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

 Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi

Sheikh Na`eim Mujahid

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on someone who possesses cash reaching the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for zakah), and then uses part of it to purchase gold before the ḥawl (lunar year) is complete — must he pay zakāh on all of it [combined], or only on the remaining cash, excluding the gold?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Gold acquired for hoarding and saving is subject to zakāh once it reaches the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for Zakah) — when combined with any cash held — and once a full ḥawl (lunar year) has elapsed over it. The starting point for calculating this ḥawl is the ḥawl of the paper currency [used to purchase it], which had already reached the niṣāb and was then used to purchase the gold.
It is stated in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.2/p.78): "As for someone who sells silver in exchange for gold, or vice versa, zakāh remains obligatory upon it, since he builds [the calculation of] its ḥawl upon [the ḥawl established at the time of] the original transaction [i.e., when the wealth was first acquired]."
This has already been explained in detail in Fatwa No. 2670 — please refer to it.
And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

Why was the exact date of Laylat al-Qadr concealed?

The wisdom behind this is to encourage Muslims to strive in worship throughout all the nights of Ramadan, or at least in the last ten nights. By doing so, they will earn the reward of observing Laylat al-Qadr as well as the reward of worshiping on other blessed nights.

What is the difference between Qiyam al-Layl and Tahajjud?

● Qiyam al-Layl refers to any voluntary prayer performed at night, including Tarawih.
● Tahajjud specifically refers to voluntary prayer performed at night after waking up from sleep.
Glad tidings to those who combine both, as numerous Quranic verses and hadiths mention their virtues.
Allah Almighty says {what means}: "And rise from thy sleep and pray during part of the night [as well], as a free offering from thee, and thy Sustainer may well raise thee to a glorious station [in the life to come." [Al-Isra`/79]
The Prophetﷺ said: "Whoever stands (in prayer) during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, all their past sins will be forgiven." [Agreed upon]

What is the ruling on Zakat al-Fitr?

Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim for themselves and for those they are financially responsible for, provided they possess wealth that is surplus to their and their family's needs on the night and day of Eid.
Ibn Umar reported: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory—one sa‘ (measure) of dates or one sa‘ of barley—upon every Muslim, whether slave or free, male or female, young or old." [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
Its estimated amount is approximately 2,500 grams of wheat or rice, and the General Iftaa` Department issues an annual ruling specifying its monetary value.