Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(70): “Praying on an Electronic Prayer Mat which Shows the Number of Prostrations and Rakhas“

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(70): “Praying on an Electronic Prayer Mat which Shows the Number of Prostrations and Rakhas“

Date: 25/8/1424 AH corresponding to 21/10/2003 AD.

 

The Board received the following question:

What is the ruling of Islamic Sharia on praying on an electronic prayer mat shows the number of prostrations and Rakahs (unit of prayer)?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

The Board is of the view that a Muslim inflicted with repeated forgetfulness is allowed to use such a mat while praying solely in case of necessity.

However, if his forgetfulness wasn`t repeated, then it is disliked for him to use it because it affects his Kushu` (humble submissiveness) during prayer, and because prostration of forgetfulness is lawful. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ”When any one of you is in doubt about his prayer and he doesn`t know how much he has prayed, three or four (rak'ahs), he should cast aside his doubt and base his prayer on what he is sure of, then perform two prostrations before giving salutations. If he has prayed five rak'ahs, they will make his prayer an even number for him, and if he has prayed exactly four, they will be humiliation for the devil.” {Muslim}. And Allah Knows Best.

                            Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice                     

                         Sheikh Izzaldeen Attamimi               

                        Dr. Yousef Ali Ghyzaan                   

          Dr. Ahmad Hilayel             

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Who is required to give fidyah for fasting?

Fidyah—feeding one needy person for each missed fasting day—is required for:
1. Those who are permanently unable to fast, such as:
○ Elderly men and women who are too weak to fast.
○ People with chronic illnesses that have no hope of recovery.
2. Pregnant or breastfeeding women who break their fast out of fear for their child (fetus or infant).
3. A person who delays making up Ramadan fasts (qada) until the next Ramadan begins, without a valid excuse.
4. The estate of a deceased person who had missed obligatory fasts and had the ability to make them up but did not do so.

Is it obligatory to have an intention (niyyah) for every prayer?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is obligatory for the worshiper to have a specific intention (Niyyah) for every prayer, meaning they must consciously intend the act of worship they are performing. The intention is a pillar (Rukn) of the prayer, and the prayer is not valid without it. It is not a requirement to utter the intention verbally; rather, doing so is considered a recommended Sunnah. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

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]

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.