Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(218): "Ruling on Accepting the Donations Made by Non-Islamic Banks to Charitable Organizations"

Date Added : 21-12-2015

Resolution No.(218)(8/2015) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Accepting the Donations Made by Non-Islamic Banks to Charitable Organizations"

Date: 24/Zolhijjah/1436 AH, corresponding to 8/10/2015 AD.

All perfect 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.

On the above given date, the Board reviewed the question of His Excellency Dr. Marwan Al-Homood, which reads as follows: What is the ruling of Islamic Sharia on accepting the donations made by non-Islamic banks to establish different charitable societies, or to equip them with furniture and other supplies?

After researching and deliberating, the Board arrived at the following view:

Islam has defined certain methods for making money and spending it, and has prohibited a Muslim from resorting to unlawful means for making a living. Therefore, that which he earns from a lawful business is equally lawful, for he can eat from it, spend, and give to charity and receive a reward from Allah, The Almighty. On the other hand, that which he earns from an unlawful business is equally unlawful, so he doesn`t receive a reward for it; rather, he is considered sinful, for Allah accepts only that which is lawful. Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said: "There is no flesh raised that sprouts from the unlawful except that the Fire is more appropriate for it." {At-Tirmizi}

Since the transactions of non-Islamic banks include that which is lawful and unlawful, there is no harm in accepting the donations that they make to charitable activities, such as establishing relief agencies, research centres, charitable societies, and schools. This is because the four Muslim Jurists have permitted accepting the gifts of those whose lawful money is mixed with unlawful money. They also said that its owner is the one accountable for committing the sin of earning unlawful money. This is provided that the donations aren`t used for promoting unlawful transactions, and that the unlawful money wasn`t considered as such because it was made by coercion, or theft. This reason of prohibition that such money should be given back to its rightful owner and can`t be accepted as a donation. And Allah Knows Best.

The Grand Mufti of Jordan / His Eminence Sheikh AbdulKareem al-Khasawneh

Prof. Abdulnasser Abulbasal / Member

Dr. Yahia al-Botoosh / Member

Sheikh Sae`id Hijjawi / Member

Dr. Wasif al-Bakhri / Member

Prof. Mohammad al-Qhodat / Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh / Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa / Member

Dr. Mohammad  al-Z`obi / Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

I wish to purchase an online account (a gaming account), and its ownership will be transferred to me. However, my friend will purchase it on my behalf, and I will repay him in deferred installments with an added profit margin to account for the installment sale. What is the ruling of Islamic Law on this transaction?

 
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The ruling on selling electronic games depends on the ruling of the game itself: if the game is permissible, then selling it is likewise permissible. However, if the game contains Sharia violations that render playing it impermissible, then selling it in that case is neither valid nor permissible. Therefore, we advise the necessity of reviewing the Sharia guidelines for electronic games set forth in Fatwa No. (3369).
 
Accordingly, if the game is permissible, a person may purchase it, take legal possession of it, and subsequently sell it in deferred installments for a price higher than its purchase price. The General Iftaa' Department has permitted dealing through Murabaha, while emphasizing the necessity of observing the Sharia conditions required for this transaction; please refer to Fatwa No. (2861). And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on giving Zakah (obligatory charity) to one`s relatives?

It is impermissible to pay Zakah to one`s origins (parents and grandparents) because providing for them is an obligation on their branches (sons and daughters) if they were poor, but it is permissible to give some of the Zakah money to relatives whose provision isn`t due on the giver of the Zakah.

What are the disliked (makruh) acts of fasting?

● Excessive rinsing of the mouth and nose (during ablution), as it may lead to swallowing water.
● Tasting food or doing anything that may risk breaking the fast.
● Engaging in idle talk, and it is even more emphasized to avoid lying, backbiting, and gossiping.

What is the wisdom and purpose behind the 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
Among the wisdoms and purposes of the 'aqīqah are the following:
First: Expressing joy at the blessing of Allah the Almighty, rejoicing in the newborn, and giving thanks to Allah for this gift. Allah the Almighty says (what means): "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you." [Ibrāhīm/7]
Second: Proclaiming and publicising the lineage (nasab) of the child — and the 'aqīqah serves as an appropriate and fitting means to this end.
Third: Gladdening the hearts of family members, relatives, friends, and the poor by gathering them together over a shared meal. And Allah Almighty knows best.