Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(34): “Ruling on the Investments of the Social Security Fund for Education through Depositing Funds in Usurious Banks or Purchasing Stocks“

Date Added : 28-10-2015

 
Resolution No.(34): "Ruling on the Investments of the Social Security Fund for Education through Depositing Funds in Usurious Banks or Purchasing Stocks"

Date: 28/11/1413 AH corresponding to 20/5/1993 AD.

The Board has received the following question:

What is the ruling of Sharia on the investments of the Social Security Fund for education, where funds are deposited in the Housing Bank against an interest, stocks are purchased from Jordan-Gulf Bank and General Arabia Insurance Company, development bonds are purchased from Jordan`s Central Bank, debenture bonds of Water Authority are purchased from Jordan`s Central Bank, and stocks are purchased in the Arab International Hotels Company?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

The Board is of the view that purchasing stocks in a usurious institution is forbidden because it involves employing the invested money in forbidden activities, and this applies to purchasing funds in Jordan-Gulf Bank, development bonds issued by the Central Bank, and debenture bonds of the Water Authority from the Central Bank.

As regards depositing funds in a usurious bank against an interest, such an activity is forbidden as well, and this applies to depositing funds in the Housing Bank against an interest.

However, the permissibility of purchasing shares in companies in general depends on the nature of the activity of such companies, so if the activity is lawful, then purchasing the shares is lawful; if not ,then it isn`t. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice Dr.Nooh Al-Qodaat

Acting Mufti General, Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi

Mufti General of Jordanian Armed Forces: Mhamood Shwayat

             Dr. Abdassalam Al-Abbadi

Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

   Dr. Yousef Ghizaan

           Dr. Mahmood Al-Sartawi

             Dr. AbdulAziz Al-Khaiyaat

            Dr. Ibrahim Khash-shaan

       Sheikh Ratib Az-zahir

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Summarized Fatawaa

 I`m keeping a plot of land (10 Dunums) for my children. Is it liable for Zakah?

Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds.

Land that is purchased with the intention of ownership and personal benefit—meaning to retain it for use and not for trade—is not subject to zakāh, as such property is not considered from trade commodities (ʿurūḍ al-tijārah).
 
It is stated in Al-Ḥāwī al-Kabīr:
“If it is property and one intends it for trade, then zakāh is due upon it; but if he intends it for personal possession, then no zakāh is due upon it.” And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

 

If someone starts the day sick or traveling while fasting, is it permissible for them to break their fast?

● A sick person who finds fasting difficult is allowed to break their fast, whether they began the day fasting or not.
● As for a traveler:
○ If they were still at home at dawn and then traveled after Fajr (dawn), they must continue fasting unless they experience extreme hardship, in which case they may break their fast.
○ However, if they were already traveling when dawn broke—meaning they had left their town before Fajr—then they are permitted to break their fast. This is what the Prophetﷺ did during the year of the conquest (of Makkah).

Is it permissible to pay the Zakah (obligatory charity) for settling the debt of a deceased relative?

It is impermissible to pay the Zakah for settling the debt of the deceased since Zakah is paid to eligible recipients who are alive. As for the debts of the deceased, they are to be settled from the estate before dividing it amongst the heirs, but if the deceased didn`t leave an estate, then it is desirable for his/her heirs to settle those debts if they can afford them. And Allah Knows Best.

Is fidyah required for someone who breaks their fast due to a valid excuse?

● If the excuse is permanent, such as a chronic illness with no hope of recovery or old age, then fidyah is required. This means feeding one needy person for each missed fasting day.
● However, if the excuse is temporary, such as menstruation, postnatal bleeding, or a temporary illness, then only making up the missed fasts (qada) is required, and fidyah does not apply.