Resolution No.(198)(8/2014) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Leasing the Parking Area of King Abdullah the 1st`s Masjid to  another Institution is Impermissible"
Date: 14/Sha`ban/1435 AH, corresponding to 12/6/2014

 

All perfect praise is due to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions:
On the above date, the Board reviewed the question sent by His Excellency, the Secretary-General of the Awqaf Fund Development Corporation, and it reads as follows:
I would like to inform you that the Awqaf Fund Development Corporation intends to lease the parking area of King Abdullah the 1st`s Masjid/ Abdalli area. Could your grace clarify the ruling of Sharia on the permissibility of leasing that parking area to a bank which intends to use it for parking the cars of its staff?
After deliberating and researching, the Board decided what follows:
It is impermissible to lease the parking area of King Abdullah the 1st`s Masjid to another institution; rather, it should be used only for the benefit of the Masjid itself and it should be kept for future expansion of the Masjid or for parking the cars of prayer performers, or for holding charity-oriented activities as well as for guidance purposes. Whereas, changing the purpose for which it has been dedicated in the first place by leasing it to a financial institution isn`t within the capacity of the Waqf trustee/administrator. A proof of this is when Umar bin Khattab got some land in Khaibar and he went to the Prophet (PBUH) to consult him about it saying: "O Allah's Messenger (PBUH) I got some land in Khaibar better than which I have never had, what do you suggest that I do with it?" The Prophet (PBUH) said: "If you like you can give the land as endowment and give its fruits in charity." So `Umar gave it in charity as an endowment on the condition that it would not be sold nor given to anybody as a present and not to be inherited, but its yield would be given in charity to the poor people, to the Kith and kin, for freeing slaves, for Allah's Cause, to the travelers and guests; and that there would be no harm if the guardian of the endowment ate from it according to his need with good intention, and fed others without storing it for the future." (Agreed upon). Leasing is tantamount to selling a benefit; whereas, in principle, an endowment can`t be used for a purpose other than the one for which it has been dedicated in the first place. The Muslim Jurists have said: "The conditions set by the owner of an endowment are tantamount to the Sharia texts." And Allah Knows Best.

    

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Mufti General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh.
Prof. Hayel Abdulhafeez/ Member
Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member
His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member
Prof. Mohammad Al-Qudat/ Member
Prof. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member
Dr.Wasif Al-Bak`kri/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa