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

Who is responsible for performing the aqiqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The one upon whom the 'aqīqah is incumbent is whoever is obligated to financially maintain the newborn — whether the father, paternal grandfather, or mother. It is to be performed from their own wealth, not from the wealth of the newborn child.
As for one upon whom the financial maintenance of the newborn is not obligatory, they may not perform the 'aqīqah except with the permission of the one upon whom it is obligatory — namely, the father. And Allah Almighty knows best.

 
Are the mother's maternal and paternal uncles, and the father's maternal and paternal uncles, considered among the unmarriageable kin (Maharim)?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
A mother’s maternal uncle and her paternal uncle, as well as a father’s maternal uncle and his paternal uncle, are all considered among the unmarriageable kin (Maharim). And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on X-ray imaging while fasting in Ramadan?

X-ray imaging itself does not break the fast. However, if a person ingests a contrast agent or medication to enhance the imaging process through an open passage to the body cavity (jauf)—such as the mouth or rectum—then their fast is invalidated.

What is the ruling on having an intention (Niyyah) for every prayer?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Intention (Niyyah) is a pillar (Rukn) without which the prayer is not valid. The worshiper must have an intention for every prayer, meaning they must consciously intend the act of worship they are performing. Its timing must coincide with the opening Takbir (Takbirat al-Ihram). It is not a requirement to utter it verbally; rather, doing so is considered a recommended Sunnah. There are three levels of intention:
 
1-If the prayer is obligatory (Fard): It is mandatory to include the Intent (to pray), the Specification (which prayer, e.g., 'Asr), and the Obligation (recognizing it as a Fard). For example, one should bring to mind or say: 'I intend to pray the Fard of 'Asr.'
 
2-If it is a voluntary prayer restricted by a specific time or cause (Sunnah Muqayyadah): It is mandatory to include the Intent and the Specification. For example: 'I intend to pray the Sunnah before Zuhr' or 'I intend to pray Duha.'
 
3-If it is an absolute voluntary prayer (Nafl Mutlaq): It is sufficient to simply have the Intent to pray. For example: 'I intend to pray.'
 
And Allah the Exalted knows best.