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Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(184): "Ruling on Using Impure Sludge as Fuel for Manufacturing Cement"

Date Added : 17-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(184)(17/2012) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Using  Impure Sludge as Fuel for Manufacturing Cement"

Date: 5/2/1434 AH, corresponding to 19/12/2012 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 its tenth session held on the above given date, the Board reviewed the question of the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, which reads as follows: "Sewage treatment plants produce-in addition to treated water- solids called "sludge", which should be gotten rid of, or reused as conditioned by the Jordan Standards. [Al-Khirbah As-Samrah] is one of the largest sewage treatment plants which has produced (200 tons) of sludge since 2007. As a result, substantial amounts of this substance have accumulated in that area. Therefore, there is a tendency to make use  of that substance in the best way possible in line with the following priorities: Burning it to produce cement, as this is the best option and the least expensive, or using it as manure, and the like. Could Your Grace be kind enough to consult the experienced scholars in order to clarify the ruling of Islamic Sharia on this issue, taking into consideration that using this sludge as fuel will relieve Jordan`s budget from (500, 000000) in the coming years.?"

After researching and deliberating, the Board decided the following:

The substance-sludge-produced by sewage treatment plants is impure; however, some scholars have permitted using impurity in such case since there is a dire need for it and it can be gotten rid of without causing harm to human beings, or to the environment.

After a representative from the Iftaa` Department has inspected  Al-Fohaise Cement Factory, it was found out that the sludge can be used as fuel where it is burnt at a high degree that reaches (1450 centigrade), and this massive heat breaks it down to iron atoms, lime, and similar raw materials attracted by the cement.

As a result, inceniration changes its nature and turns it into a pure substance, as is the opinion of the Hanafite School of Thought and one opinion of the Shafites. These scholars have stated: "If the nature of the impure substance has changed, the cause of impurity has ceased, or it has turned into a different substance in terms of  name and features, then this is enough to rule that it is has become pure, because the elements of impurity have vaefore". Therefore, there is no harm in utilizing  it in productive fields; especially if it leads to saving the aforesaid amount of money. And Allah Knows Best.

 

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

Prof. Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi / 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

What is the Sharia basis of the Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The Sharia basis of the Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) is firmly established through the Quran, the Sunnah, and the Consensus (Ijma') of the Muslims:
1. Evidence from the Holy Quran
Allah the Exalted says {what means}: "And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good." [Al-Hajj/36]. He also says {what means}: "So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]" [Al-Kawthar/2]. According to the most well-known scholarly interpretations of this verse, "prayer" refers to the Eid prayer, and "sacrifice" refers to the slaughtering of the Udhiyah.
2. Evidence from the Sunnah
Al-Bara' bin 'Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The first thing we start with on this day of ours is to pray, then we return and sacrifice. Whoever does that has followed our Sunnah, and whoever slaughters before [the prayer], it is merely meat he has provided for his family; it is not part of the ritual sacrifice in any way" [Reported by Bukhari & Muslim].
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Prophet ﷺ sacrificed two white rams with horns. He slaughtered them with his own hand, mentioned the name of Allah (Tasmiyah), and said the Takbir" [Reported by Bukhari & Muslim].
3. Evidence from Scholarly Consensus (Ijma')
The Muslims have reached a unanimous consensus on the Sharia basis of the Udhiyah, and no one among the scholars has disagreed with this. [Al-Sherbini, Mughni al-Muhtaj, Vol.6/P.122].And Allah the Exalted knows best.

How many rak‘ahs are there in Tarawih prayer?

The most complete form of Tarawih prayer consists of twenty rak‘ahs, excluding Shaf‘ and Witr. This is the opinion of the majority of scholars, both past and present, and it is the practiced tradition in the two Holy Mosques.
However, Tarawih is valid with any even number of rak‘ahs, even two rak‘ahs, as long as it is performed with the intention of Qiyam al-Ramadan.

What is the ruling on public street water if it gets on a person's clothes or body?

The default ruling is that public street water is pure (tahir). If one is certain of its impurity (najasa), then a small amount that gets on the lower part of a person's clothes or body is overlooked (excused). And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible to sacrifice imported livestock (Such as Romanian, Australian, etc.)?

 

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
As long as the sheep meets the prescribed Sharia age and is free from disqualifying defects, it is valid for sacrifice regardless of its country of origin. Therefore, it is permissible to offer sacrifices from various sources, such as: Romanian, Australian, Spanish, Indian, Sudanese, local (Baladi) livestock, and others. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

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