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Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(189): "Types of Stem Cells and the Sharia Rulings Pertaining to them"

Date Added : 18-11-2015

Resolution No.(189)(9/2013) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Types of Stem Cells and the Sharia Rulings Pertaining to them"

Date: 27/Tholqidah/1434 AH, corresponding to 3/10/2013.

 

All perfect praise is due to Allah, peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

Elaborating on its earlier resolution No.(6/2013) which included special amendments to the stem cells system, the Board decided what follows:

In terms of medicine, stem cells are unspecialized (undifferentiated) cells that are characteristically of the same family type (lineage). They retain the ability to divide throughout life and give rise to cells that can become highly specialized and take the place of cells that die or are lost. Stem cells contribute to the body`s ability to renew and repair its tissues. Based on their source, stem cells are divided into the following types; each has its own ruling from the perspective of Sharia:

Type One: Human Embryonic Stem Cells

These are taken from fertilized eggs that are left over from in vitro fertilization (IVF), starting from the date of fertilization and ending after five days from the start of the sequential segmentations.

For this type to be considered permissible, fertilization should take place between two spouses who wish to beget children, and whose marriage contract is valid. This is provided that they abide by the specified number of fertilization attempts along with observing the rules of Sharia concerning the test-tube babies.

Type Two: Adult Stem Cells:

These are taken from the umbilical cord after delivery, milk teeth, different tissues of a human being after being born, aborted fetuses, tissues of fetuses implanted in the uterus or the umbilical cord or the placenta and its membrane, and the amniotic fluid,  whether inside the uterus or outside it.

Using this type of cells is permissible; however, proper legislations should be set up in order to ban deliberate abortion that aims at obtaining them. It is also important to avoid taking advantage of illegal abortion, because the use of these cells could lead to legalizing such abortion.

Type Three: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells:

They are specialized adult cells that can be programmed into cells that behave like embryonic stem cells.

Type Four: Hybrid Stem Cells:

These cells result from combining human DNA with a non-human cell.

Islamic Sharia permits using the third and the fourth types because there is no Sharia evidence that forbids them. This is provided that they aren`t implanted in a woman`s womb and they aren`t used for increasing mankind.

In conclusion, it is conditioned that the above mentioned types don`t cause any harm to mankind and that the medical rules and regulations are observed. The Legislation and Opinion Bureau has worked out a draft-law to that end and it was ratified by the Iftaa` Board which made key amendments to it in order to make sure that the rules of Sharia are abided by. And Allah Knows Best. 

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh.

Vice-Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Prof. Ahmad Helayel

Prof. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member

His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Pro. Mohammad Al-Qhodat/ Member

     Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member

Dr.Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

Who is responsible for performing the aqiqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The one upon whom the 'aqīqah is incumbent is whoever is obligated to financially maintain the newborn — whether the father, paternal grandfather, or mother. It is to be performed from their own wealth, not from the wealth of the newborn child.
As for one upon whom the financial maintenance of the newborn is not obligatory, they may not perform the 'aqīqah except with the permission of the one upon whom it is obligatory — namely, the father. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on making up missed fasts from many years?

A Muslim must make up for any missed fasts, as they are a debt owed to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The debt owed to Allah is more deserving of being fulfilled." [Narrated by Muslim]
Whoever has missed fasts must make them up as long as they are alive and capable of fasting.

Is supplicating in Qunoot, at times of affliction, during obligatory and voluntary prayer a Sunnah, and should it be done before Rukoo` (bowing), or after it?

At times of affliction, it is a Sunnah that Muslims supplicate in Qunoot after the final Rukoo` of each obligatory, or voluntary prayer as individuals, or in congregation.

What is the ruling on praying in congregation at the mosque?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Congregational prayer (Salat al-Jama‘ah) is a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah) for resident men regarding the performance of the prescribed (obligatory) prayers. For men, praying in congregation at the mosque is better than praying elsewhere, such as at home. On the authority of Abdullah bin Umar, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Prayer in congregation is twenty-seven degrees more excellent than the prayer of a person alone' (Reported by Bukhari & Muslim). Furthermore, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Shall I not tell you that by which Allah erases sins and raises ranks?' They said, 'Of course, O Messenger of Allah.' He said: 'Performing wudu thoroughly despite difficulties, taking many steps toward the mosques, and waiting for the next prayer after the prayer; that is your Ribat (steadfastness)' (Narrated by Muslim).
 
As for a woman, her praying in congregation at home is better for her than in the mosque, according to the saying of our Master the Prophet ﷺ: 'Do not prevent your women from attending the mosques, but their homes are better for them' (Narrated by Abu Dawood). Young boys should be encouraged to attend the mosques and congregational prayers so they may become accustomed to them. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

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