Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(94): "Ruling on Cancelling A Waqf"

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

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to read from the Mus-haf during Tarawih prayer?

Yes, it is permissible to read from the Mus-haf during Tarawih prayer, provided that excessive movements that invalidate the prayer are avoided.
However, it is preferable for the imam to be a memorizer of the Quran and to recite from memory.

What is recommended for a Muslim to say on Laylat al-Qadr?

On Laylat al-Qadr, it is recommended for a Muslim to recite the supplication (du‘a) that the Prophet ﷺ taught Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):
"O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me." [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]

Who should pay the Zakah (obligatory charity) from the orphan`s money?

His/her guardian, and if the latter fails to do so, then the orphan himself/herself is obliged to pay the Zakah once he/she reaches puberty, and is capable of handling his/her own affairs. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the ruling on selling sacrificial animals (udhiyah) described with specific attributes and authorizing an agent to slaughter them?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Selling sacrificial animals (udhiyah) that are described with specific attributes is permissible. This falls under the category of a salam sale (forward sale) if conducted using the terminology of salam, and under the category of a regular sale if not using the terminology of salam.
 
As for authorizing the seller to slaughter the sacrificial animal, the basic principle is that it is permissible, because the agent (wakil) stands in the place of the principal (muwakkil) in achieving his objective. This is a contract that the principal (the buyer) is entitled to perform himself, so authorizing another (the seller) to do so on his behalf is valid.
 
However, it is a condition for authorization to slaughter that the intention (niyyah) is present either at the time of slaughter or at the time of handing over the sacrificial animal to the agent. The basic principle is that the sacrificial animal must be specifically designated, as it is an act of worship. It is not required to designate it at the time of slaughter; rather, it is valid to do so before that.
 
It is permissible for the principal either to delegate the intention to the agent or to formulate it himself when authorizing the agent to slaughter. However, the sacrificial animal must be designated, even if at the time of slaughter, by the agent.
 
It is obligatory to designate the sacrificial animals so that each person offering a sacrifice receives his own specific animal. Therefore, charitable organizations and companies must take this into consideration and establish a specific mechanism that ensures no mixing of sacrificial animals occurs, so that each person offering a sacrifice receives his own designated animal. And Allah Almighty knows best.