Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Date Added : 28-10-2015

 

Resolution No.(94) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies: 

“Ruling on Cancelling A Waqf“

Date: 3/8/1426 AH, corresponding to 7/9/2005 AD.

 

 

 

Question:

 

I want to take back a piece of land that I have endowed to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Sites since my children are living  with me and I have no other property that they can benefit from after my death?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

The Board has reviewed the Waqf certificate, and after researching and deliberating, it determined that taking back the aforementioned Waqf (endowment) isn`t permissible because Waqf becomes binding once it is concluded, and this is the view of the majority of the Muslim scholars. However, Abu Hanifah believes that a Waqf becomes binding once a judge rules so, or if the person who endows says that it is an endowment effective after my death {a will}. Amongst the evidences that a Waqf is binding and can`t be cancelled are:

 

1- Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "When a man dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three: A continuous charity, knowledge by which people derive benefit, pious son who prays for him."

[Muslim]. Muslims scholars have interpreted” A continuous charity “ as Waqf, and a Waqf can only be a continuous charity once it is binding and can`t be disposed of; otherwise, the meaning of continuity won`t be fulfilled.

2- Ibn Omar (May Allah Be Pleased with both of them) narrated: "When `Umar got a piece of land in Khaibar, he came to the Prophet (PBUH) saying, "I have got a piece of land, better than which I have never got. So what do you advise me regarding it?" The Prophet (PBUH) said: "If you wish you can keep it as an endowment to be used for charitable purposes." So, `Umar gave the land in charity (i.e. as an endowment on the condition that the land would neither be sold nor given as a present, nor bequeathed, (and its yield) would be used for the poor, the kinsmen, the emancipation of slaves, Jihad, and for guests and travelers; and its administrator could eat in a reasonable just manner, and he also could feed his friends without intending to be wealthy by its means." {Bukhari & Muslim}. In the narration of Bukhari: “Give it in charity (i.e. as an endowment) with its land and trees on the condition that the land and trees will neither be sold nor given as a present, nor bequeathed, but the fruits are to be spent in charity.“ This narration indicates that since the land and trees can neither be sold nor given as a present, nor bequeathed, this applies to the Waqf, in disagreement with the opinion of Abu Hanifah. Abu Yousef { A scholar in Islamic jurisprudence} said:  "Had this Hadith reached Abu Hanifah, he would have adopted it and revoked selling a Waqf."

3- Article three of the justice law states: “ Once the Waqf is concluded in its valid form, the endower`s ownership of it ceases, and the Waqf certificate becomes binding and can`t be cancelled, and the one/ones to whom it is endowed, or others can`t sell, give as a present, mortgage, or bequeath , and this is what a Waqf includes.

4- The judge or the ruler enjoys the authority of settling such dispute” in line with the provisions of the law and keeping the endowed estate as such. On its part, the Jordanian law has stipulated this in clause (A), Article (1243): “After the Waqf is concluded, it can`t be given as a present, bequeathed, or mortgaged, and it gets out of the endower`s possession, and can`t be possessed by others.” And the same point is stated in article (1159) where it reads: “There is neither preemption in Waqf (Shufa`h) nor annexation. “And Allah Knows Best.

 

 

 

Iftaa` Board

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

Dr. AbdulMajeed Al-Salaheen

Dr. Yousef Ghyzaan

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

Dr. Abdukareem Al-Khasawneh

Sheikh Sae`id Hijjawi

Sheikh Nae`im Mujahid

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for a wife to leave her house without asking her husband?

It is impermissible for the wife to leave her house without asking her husband except for a sound reason.

Is it permissible for a woman to inherit the same share as of a man?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all if his family and companions.                                                                                                                                                                                                 Thorough studies in which woman's right to inherit according to law of distribution of estate indicates that there are more than one case by which women inherit the same as man and sometimes much more, or to shed the lights regarding the right to inherit while men who share the same family line with her don't have the right to inherit because the deceased has closer ties of kinship with her. In addition to four cases whereas woman inherits half share in comparison with man's share although they had the same degree of kinship with the deceased. For further details as regards the latter cases, kindly refer to elaborated jurisprudence books. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 

My mother inherited a share from my late father`s and brother`s property; however, the inheritance, a piece of land, wasn`t divided amongst the eligible heirs because it was hard to sell. While alive, she used say that she wanted these shares to be distributed amongst the poor and needy. What is the ruling of Sharia on this?

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and may His Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.
This is a will, so we have to consider the estate she had left behind. If the piece of land, which she had willed, equals one third and less of her estate, then the will must be executed. But, if it is more than one third, then one third must be executed and the rest of the estate, if the heirs agreed, is to be executed  as part of her will as well. However, if the heirs haven`t approved of that, then what remains, excluding that one third, must be divided amongst them according to the Islamic rules of inheritance. Moreover, we recommend that you pay a visit to the Iftaa` Department to make things clearer for you. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

Is it permissible to offer prayer at home, or should it be offered in the mosque?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds.                                                                                                                                                                      It isn`t preferable for the man to pray at home as praying in the mosque is twenty seven times more rewarding. Therefore, this should motivate him to offer prayers in the mosque. And Allah Knows Best.