Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Date Added : 26-11-2015

Resolution No.(200)(10/2014) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies for the year 1435 A.H.

"Amount of Zakaat-ul-Fitr/ 1435"

Date:25/Sha`ban/1435 A.H corresponding to 19/6/2014 A.D

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 the above given date, the Board reviewed the amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr for the year 14335 AH.

 After researching and deliberating, it decided the following:

Zakat-ul-Fitr is one of the obligations of Islam as indicated by the following Hadith: "Allah's Messenger (PBUH) made it incumbent on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa' of dates or barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr" {Bukhari}.

Zakat-ul-Fitr embodies social solidarity that characterizes our tolerant Sharia; particularly, in the blessed month of  Ramadan; the month of  goodness and kindness. Therefore, it is obligatory  upon every Muslim who owns extra provisions beyond his need as well as the need of everyone in his family on the day and night of  Ed-ul-Fitr. In other words, one father should pay for himself and for whom he supports, even for his baby who is born before the sunset of the last day of Ramadan as well as his poor parents whom he supports.

Therefore, the amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr is one sa` of food; the sa` equals (2.5 Kgs.), given by a Muslim from what the people of his country eat the most. In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the common food is wheat; therefore, Zakat-ul-Fitr is (2.5 Kgs.) of wheat on every Muslim person. It is also permissible to give one sa` of rice since it is more useful to the poor and easier to provide by the giver. Moreover, it is permissible to give the value of this amount in currency.

The Board estimates the value of the sa` from the common food in Jordan as (1500 F.), and whoever wishes to pay more shall have a greater reward from Allah, The Almighty.

The preferred time for giving Zakat-ul-Fitr is between the sunset of the last day of Ramadan and the E`ed prayer. It is also permissible to give it from the beginning of Ramadan.

Nowadays, it is imperative that Muslims observe this ritual (Zakat-ul-Fitr) since it purifies the soul of the giver. Therefore, it must be given on behalf of the child, who isn`t obliged to fast, as well as the sick who is unable to fast. Ibn ’Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated: "The Messenger of Allah  (PBUH) enjoined Zakat-ul-fitr on the one who fasts (i.e. fasted during the month of Ramadan) to purify him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy“. {Abu Dawood}. Giving it to the poor makes them self-sufficient on the day of E`ed; therefore, a Muslim must give it willingly and kindly.

We pray that Allah, The Almighty, Accepts our acts of devotion and Forgives our sins. And Allah Knows Best.

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Grand Mufti of Jordan, Sheikh AbdulKareem al-Khasawneh

Prof. Abdulnasser Abulbasal / 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

Executive Secretary of the Iftaa` Board, Dr. jameel Abu Sarah

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

I`m a mother of three orphans. Is it permissible for me to spend on myself from their salary, such as buying a Jilbab*?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
It is permissible to take a reasonable amount that is equal to your services to them. However, it is better that you don`t. The evidence on this is that Almighty Allah Says (What means): "Make trial of orphans until they reach the age of marriage; if then ye find sound judgment in them, release their property to them; but consume it not wastefully, nor in haste against their growing up. If the guardian is well-off, Let him claim no remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable. When ye release their property to them, take witnesses in their presence: But all-sufficient is God in taking account." [An-Nisa`/6]. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
 
* A full-length outer garment, traditionally covering the head and hands, worn in public by some Muslim women.

Is it permissible to pay the Zakah (obligatory charity) for settling the debt of a deceased relative?

It is impermissible to pay the Zakah for settling the debt of the deceased since Zakah is paid to eligible recipients who are alive. As for the debts of the deceased, they are to be settled from the estate before dividing it amongst the heirs, but if the deceased didn`t leave an estate, then it is desirable for his/her heirs to settle those debts if they can afford them. And Allah Knows Best.

During a flight from Amman to the UAE, while we were flying over Saudi Arabia, the captain announced that it was time to break our fast, coinciding with the exact time of sunset. After I had broken my fast with my first date, the captain apologized for the earlier announcement and clarified that the correct time would be in 20 minutes. Am I required to continue fasting on that day?

Whosoever break his fast at teh very first announcement to make up the missed day of Ramadan, since Allah, The Most Exalted, Said (What means): "then complete your fast Till the night appears" [Al-Baqara/187]. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the ruling on making up for missed fasting after the second half of Sha`ban (the month before Ramadhaan)?

One is obliged to make up for missed fasting before the start of next Ramadhaan, and regardless of offering it during the first, or the second half of Shab`an. This is because the prohibition mentioned in the Hadith is for offering absolute voluntary fasting in the second half of Sha`ban. And Allah Knows Best.