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 for a menopausal woman who has blood discharges to fast?

If she reached the age of menopause, and her menses stopped, but later she saw blood discharges that lasted a complete day and night (24) hours, then it is menstrual blood. Still, if these blood discharges lasted less than a complete day and night (24) hours, then it is not menstrual blood, but it is bleeding outside the monthly period (Istihadah), and it does not prevent her from prayer and fast, but she has to make ablution for every prayer.

A man donated a burial plot, but before registering it in favor of the Ministry of Awqaf and before burying anybody there he said that he didn`t want to donate it and planted it. What is the ruling of Sharia on this?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

If he had endowed it as a cemetery, then he can`t take it back, even if he didn`t register it in favor of the Ministry of Awqaf. If he said: "I have endowed this plot as a cemetery, then it becomes an endowment." However, if he didn`t endow that plot-but it was his intention to do so-then he is allowed to back down. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

There is a car dealership, and their method of selling is as follows: The customer pays the full price of the car, the car is registered in their name, and another contract is written in which the company commits to refunding the full price of the car to the customer after one year from the purchase date. What is the Islamic ruling on this transaction?

As for purchasing the car, paying its price, and owning it, this is a valid sale with no issue. However, the condition of refunding the price — whether the car is returned to the seller or not — is an invalid condition that nullifies the entire contract. Therefore, this transaction is invalid and not permissible. And Allah Knows Best.

 have an amount of 2,700 Jordanian dinars, which I have invested in a project, and I pay zakat on it every year. However, I have debts and obligations, and this project yields only a profit of about 2-4%. My salary is not enough to support myself and my family to the extent that I cannot pay the electricity bills. Is it permissible for me to take from the above Zakat?
 

You permitted to take from your Zakat since your income insufficient for you, because the poor is permitted to take from the Zakat in general, besides; the poor is identified of whose income doesn't suffice him. And Allah Knows Best.