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Resolutions of Iftaa' Board


Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(185): “The Status of the Arabic Language and the Importance of Protecting it Against Negligence“

Date Added : 17-11-2015

Resolution No.(185)( 2/2013) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies.

“The Status of  the Arabic Language and the Importance of Protecting it Against Negligence “

Date: (26/3/1434 AH) corresponding to (7/2/2013 AD)

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

On the aforementioned date, the Board reviewed the question submitted by Mr. Hasan al-Ta`ll,  “ The National Project for Defending the Arabic Language”, and it reads as follows: What is the ruling on people who mix their Arabic with English words while talking, and they, sometimes, mix it with another language through creating hybrid words which aren`t related to any of them ? What is the ruling on writing Arabic in Latin letters; particularly in phone messages, social media, and the internet ? What is the Sharia ruling as regards defending the Arabic language ?

After thorough study and deliberation, the Board decided the following:

Allah, The Exalted, Has Honored the Arabic language with a special status through choosing it as the language of His Divine Book, The Holy Quran. In this regard He, The Exalted Says (What means): “With it came down the spirit of Faith and Truth-To thy heart and mind, that thou mayest admonish. In the perspicuous Arabic tongue.” {Ash-shu`ara/pp.193-195}. He, The Most Exalted also Says (What means): “A Book, whereof the verses are explained in detail; a Qur’an in Arabic, for people who understand” {Fussilat/3}. Arabic is an honored language chosen to convey the words of Allah, to Him belongs Might and Majesty, to all humanity, and this by itself is the greatest of privileges.

Accordingly, Arabic has become a major factor in the unity of the Muslim Nation to which we all aspire as well as the cultural identity of Muslims. It also links the Ummah`s (Nation`s) religion and heritage with the current generations since it is imperative that they master it along with its discourse techniques in order to understand their religion and make use of their Islamic heritage. Some scholars stated: “Any changes in words and inflections cause a change in meaning which leads to establishing a ruling or denying one." 

Therefore, learning the important aspects of the Arabic language to understand Islam and to secure the validity of the various acts of worship is an individual duty. Whereas, protecting it against negligence and solidifying its status nationally and internationally is a collective duty because  language is the crown of any civilization or culture, thus promoting the message and values of Islam can`t be achieved by neglecting the Arabic language, being ignorant of its basics, and giving precedence to a foreign language. Rather, it is achieved by facing all attempts of alienation, effacement, and distortion exerted against it. This is actually embodied nowadays in:  writing Arabic  using Latin letters via different means of social media, making Arabic difficult to learn, acquiring knowledge in various disciplines in foreign languages, and using colloquial Arabic in some means of mass media. All of these boil down to exchanging that which is meaner for that which is better, and that had an evident effect on the general image of the Arab and Muslim societies.

In this regard scholars stated: “Learning the Arabic language entails learning other disciplines of knowledge, and morals since customs have a great impact on that which Allah favors, or denies. Rightly guided people of old times rarely used a foreign language except when necessary. A Muslim shouldn`t  resort to a language other than that of the Holy Quran as regards oral and written forms of communication although getting used to a language leaves a clear impact on manners, religion, and intellect. The Arabic language itself is an integral part of the religion and understanding it is mandatory.

It is our responsibility to draw up plans and curricula which enable the Arabic language to retrieve some of its glory and influence on the various academic and practical aspects of life through providing the needed moral and material support. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board,

The Mufti General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan/His Grace, Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

Professor Abed Al-Nassir Abulbassal/Member

His Eminence Sheiykh Sa`eed Hijawi/Member

Professor Moh. Al-Qudah/Member

Dr.Yahia Al-Botosh/Member

Dr. Moh. Al-Khalaylah/Member

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

Dr. Moh. Al-Zou`bi

Dr. Moh. Khair Essa

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for a woman to uncover her face while performing Umrah (minor Hajj)?

The woman while in a state of Ihram (ritual consecration) is obligated to uncover her face and hands, but at the same time permitted to let her head-covering garment drape from her head down over her face when non-Mahram (i.e., marriageable) men pass by her. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the ruling if hemorrhoid blood exits after completing ablution?

If this blood is exiting from outside the anus (due to the hemorrhoid protruding), it does not invalidate ablution, because blood exiting from the body from other than the two orifices does not invalidate ablution. If it exits from the anus (meaning from inside it), it invalidates ablution, and one must perform istinja' from it, wash the area of impurity, and repeat the ablution.
However, if this blood exits continuously such that no time remains sufficient for purification and prayer without it flowing, then it takes the ruling of urinary incontinence (sals al-bawl). One then cleanses from it after the time for each prayer enters, performs ablution immediately thereafter, and performs the obligatory prayer immediately. There is no liability upon him after that if something of it flows, and he may pray as many voluntary prayers as he wishes. If he wants to pray another obligatory prayer, he must cleanse himself and perform ablution. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Does sacrificing one sheep avail for the entire household?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
In Islamic jurisprudence, the sacrifice (Udhiyah) is considered a Communal Sunnah (Sunnah Kifayah) for the members of a single household who share the same financial support.
 
If one member of the household performs the sacrifice—even if they are not the primary breadwinner, such as the wife or one of the children—the religious request is fulfilled on behalf of the entire household. This is similar to the Funeral Prayer (Salat al-Janazah), where the obligation is dropped for the community if some perform it.
 
 While the communal request is satisfied by one person's action, the specific spiritual reward (Thawab) for the act of worship belongs only to the person who sacrificed, unless that individual explicitly intends to include the other family members in the reward.
 
 A single sacrifice also avails for a man who is married to more than one wife. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for the children of a deceased father to settle his debt from the Zakah (obligatory charity) money due on them?

It is impermissible to use the Zakah of one`s money for settling the debts of the deceased. However, children should settle the debts of their deceased parents out of filial piety. And Allah Knows Best.

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