Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(88): “Ruling on Giving Zakat for Building a School“

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(88) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

“Ruling on Giving Zakat for Building a School“

Date: 28/4/1426 AH, corresponding to 8/6/2005 AD.

 

 

 

Question:

 

Are the sums donated by charity givers for building a school considered from the Zakat due on their property?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

The channels of Zakaah have been set by the Islamic Sharee'ah within the eight categories mentioned in the Quran. Allah The Almighty Says {what means}: “Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of God; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by God, and God is full of knowledge and wisdom.” {At-tawbah/60}.

Moreover, Zyad Ibn Al-Harith Al-Suda`i narrated: “ I came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and swore allegiance to him, and after telling a long story he said: Then a man came to him and said: Give me some of the sadaqah (alms). The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: Allah is not pleased with a Prophet's or anyone else's decision about sadaqat till He has given a decision about them Himself. He has divided those entitled to them into eight categories, so if you come within those categories, I shall give you what you desire.” {Abu Dawood}.

Since building the school isn`t within the  categories eligible to receive Zakat, then it is impermissible to consider the sums donated by charity givers for this purpose as Zakat of their property.

 

Board of Iftaa`
Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Izzaldeen At-Tamimi
Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi                        Dr. Yousef Ghyzaan
Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi                                  Sheikh Naeim Mojahid
Sheikh AbdulKareem Al-Khasawneh      Dr. Wasif Al-Bakri
Dr. Abdulsalaam Al-Salaheen                   Dr. Ahmad Hilayil

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the meaning of the word aqiqah?

 

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The 'aqīqah in its linguistic sense refers to the hair upon the head of a newborn at the time of birth.
In its Sharī'ah sense, it refers to the livestock that is slaughtered on behalf of a newborn child.
And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for a woman to lead other women in prayer?

Yes, it is permissible for a woman to lead other women in prayer. The most knowledgeable among them in the rulings of prayer should act as the imam. She should stand in the middle of the row, slightly ahead of the others.

What is the ruling on performing voluntary (nafl) prayer during the time of istiwā' (the sun's zenith) on the day of Jumu‘ah (Friday), and is this ruling specific to someone who has come to the mosque to perform the Jumu‘ah prayer?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is permissible to perform voluntary (nafl) prayer during the time of istiwā' (the sun's zenith, i.e., its highest point before noon) on the day of Jumu‘ah (Friday) — whether for someone who is attending the Friday prayer or someone who is not, and whether they are among the people obligated to attend it or not.
It is stated in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.1/P.310): "The more correct position (al-aṣaḥḥ) is that prayer is permissible during this time without restriction — regardless of whether the person will be attending the Jumu‘ah prayer or not." And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

How is the meat of the 'aqīqah to be distributed?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
If the 'aqīqah is a recommended one (mandūbah), it is obligatory to give some portion of it in charity to the poor — even if the amount is small — with the minimum being approximately half a kilogram of meat.
The most preferable manner of distribution is to divide it into three equal portions, as with the uḍḥiyyah:
 
One third for the guardian and his household to eat from
One third to be given in charity to the poor
One third to be gifted to friends and neighbours, even if they are wealthy
 
It is furthermore more preferable to send the food to the poor already cooked, rather than inviting them to come and eat. And Allah Almighty knows best.