Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(190): "Ruling on Turning an Old Mosque into a Centre for Teaching the Holy Quran"

Date Added : 18-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(190)(10/2013) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Turning an Old  Mosque into a Centre for Teaching the Holy Quran"

Date: (27/ Thu`l Qidah/1434 AH) corresponding to (3/10/2013AD)

 

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

The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies reviewed, in its eighth session held on the above given date, the question submitted by The Secretary-General of The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, and reads as follows:

I would like to draw your Grace`s attention to the fact that some old mosques are not utilized for offering prayers due to the availability of newly-built ones near them. Would you please clarify the Sharia ruling on turning these into centers for teaching Quran, or Islamic centers?

After careful study and deliberation, The Board decided what follows:

Muslim scholars are of the view that it is impermissible to sell, give, or change a Mawquf (an endowed property) because it is not the property of the Waqif (owner), thus he is not at liberty to run it in any manner that nullifies its original benefit. However, some scholars made exceptions where they allowed changing Waqf (endowment) into something else for the purpose of achieving benefit and preserving interest. This is the view of the Hanbali scholars, such as Al-Imam Al-Bardawi who says: “Each Waqf that does not serve its original purpose should be sold.” {Al-Inssaf/vol.7/pp.103}.This includes any factor that hinders the proper utilization of the Waqf . It is stated in {Al-Inssaf/vol.7/pp.103}: ”Not achieving the benefits intended by the Waqf due to damage or else, or even  the narrowness of the mosque is what is intended by the deactivation of Waqf utilities.” Not offering prayer in these old mosques-as mentioned in the above question-could be adapted to that which the Hanbali scholars mentioned in the former quotes.

Accordingly, it is allowed to turn these mosques into centers for teaching Quran to make them beneficial, provided that it is done under the supervision of an Islamic committee which ascertains meeting the aforementioned conditions stipulated by the Muslim scholars. However, it is better for the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Places to exercise caution in this regard by retaining rules of mosques and utilizing them (mosques) for teaching Quran at the same time, since there is no contradiction between the two objectives particularly in case of a future need for performing prayer in them due to crowdedness of other mosques. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board

The Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Sheikh Abdul Karim Al-Khasawneh

Vice Chairman of Iftaa` Board, Prof. Ahmed Helayel

Prof. Abdul Nnasir Abu Al-Basal/member 

His Eminence Shaykh Sa'id Hijjawi/member

Dr. Yahya Al-Btoush/ member 

Dr. Mohammad Al-Qudah/member

Dr. Mohammed Al-Khalayleh/member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zoubi/ member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Does wiping over one's socks during ablution permissible?

If the socks were thick,  then wiping over them during ablution is permissible so long as wiping conditions are observed. And Allah Knows Best.

How is night prayer offered?

Night prayer is offering voluntary prayer after Maghrib and before Fajr (Dawn). As for Tahajjud, it is offering voluntary prayer at night after waking up voluntarily, and for Allah`s sake as He Says (What means): "And pray in the small watches of the morning: (it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for thee: soon will thy Lord raise thee to a Station of Praise and Glory!" [Al-Isra`/79]. Offering Tahajjud is better than offering voluntary prayer before going to bed.

I work at a company that provides cash advances of 800 dinars, 1000 dinars, or 1200 dinars, depending on the employee’s years of service. An administrative fee of 40 dinars is deducted from the amount in the first month, and the remaining amount is repaid in installments. What is the ruling on this, knowing that the deducted amount (40 dinars) is fixed?

We fear that the deducted amount may be a means of circumventing interest (Riba). If the deducted amount is equal to or less than the actual administrative expenses, then there is no issue, as some scholars permit the borrower to bear the costs of documenting and managing the loan. However, piety suggests refraining from taking this loan under these conditions, as dealing with private individuals and companies is not the same as dealing with the state, which spends from the public treasury. And Allah Knows Best.

Is permissible to buy/sell with non-Muslim?

Yes buying/selling for a Muslim with non-Muslim is permissible as regards what is lawful.