Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(3): “Ruling on Resorting to Arbitration to Settle Disputes between People”

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(3): "Ruling on Resorting to Arbitration to among Disputants” 

 

Praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His Blessings and Peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

The Board is of the view that arbitration is permissible in Sharia as has been indicated by the Noble Quran, the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), and the practices of the Sahabah (companions).

The Noble Quran:

As regards disputing spouses, Allah Says (What means): “If ye fear a breach between them twain, appoint (two) arbiters, one from his family, and the other from hers; if they wish for peace, God will cause their reconciliation: For God hath full knowledge, and is acquainted with all things.“ {An-Nissa`/35}.

The Sound Sunnah:

Abu Shoraih reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said to him: “Allah is the Hakam (arbiter), why do people call you Abu al-Hakam? He said: Whenever my people have a dispute over any matter, they would call me to settle that dispute, and both parties would be pleased with my verdict. The Prophet said: well done. What is the name of your oldest son? He said: Shoraih. The Prophet said: Then you are Abu Shoraih!! “ {An-Nassa`e}. This Hadith indicates that the Prophet (PBUH) commended and permitted arbitration when he approved Abu Shoraih`s act by saying to him {Well done}.

Moreover, it was reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever arbitrates between two persons who come to him willingly, but passes an unjust verdict is cursed. “

The Righteous Companions (May Allah Be Pleased with all of them) used to observe arbitration among one another in case of a dispute, as narrated that Umar bin al-Khatab (May Allah Be Pleased with him) sent a nomad to Shoraih for arbitration before appointing the latter as a judge.

Furthermore, it was narrated that Uthman Bin Affan and Talhah sought the arbitration of Jobair Bin Mote`im who wasn`t a judge yet, and they were pleased with his judgment, and this matter occurred before the honorable companions.

An arbiter must adhere to legal principles and procedures in the following: hearings, proceedings, and issuance of verdict, in order to observe justice. He must allow every litigant to plead his case and present arguments and pieces of evidence. He must start by listening to the plaintiff and consider his pieces of evidence, then listen to the defendant. He must also listen to witnesses in case there was a need for doing so. All of this must be conducted in the arbitration council. An arbiter mustn`t  be biased because arbitration is a form of the judiciary, so he must resort to neutrality, and he may not pass a verdict without a sound reason such as a confession, or evidence, or else. He must also consider the minutest details of the case and observe justice when issuing the verdict. And Allah Knows Best.

The Board of Iftaa'

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to fast on behalf of the dead who died owing missed fast to make up?

His relative should fast on his behalf, and it is permissible for the guardians to give permission to non-relatives of the dead to fast on his behalf as well. And Allah Knows Best.

Is Zakah (obligatory charity) due on owned land?

Zakah is due on the land used as an article of merchandise and was originally bought for that end. Zakah is due on it at the end of every lunar year. Its value is estimated, and (2.5%) of the total value of all such lands owned by the questioner is given as Zakah. However, no Zakah is due on the land used for building a house, or an agricultural purpose.

A person owns sheep or goats and occasionally feeds them from the grass in other people's orchards without the owners’ permission. Is it permissible to eat the meat of these animals if invited to do so? Is it permissible to purchase from these sheep whose owner feed them from people's orchards without their permission, and can one accept gifts from them, such as meat or milk?

 

 

 

Yes, it is permissible because the one who is accountable is their owner, and the cost of the grass on his accountability. In addition, in order to be on the safe side you should abstain from eating his products, because his sheep case is as if they were fed on impurities. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the expiation for perjury?

One who commits perjury should repent, seek Allah`s forgiveness and offer an expiation which is: feeding ten indigent persons, or clothing them, or giving a slave his freedom, but if that is beyond his means then, he should fast for three days. Allah, The Almighty, Says in this regard (What means): "Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom. If that is beyond your means, fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths ye have sworn. But keep to your oaths. Thus doth Allah make clear to you His signs, that ye may be grateful." [Al-Ma`idah/89].