Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(107): "Proposed Amendments to the System of the Income and Sales Tax Department Fund"

Date Added : 12-04-2016

 

Resolution No.(107) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Proposed Amendments to the System of the Income and Sales Tax Department Fund"

Date: 26/4/1427 A.H, corresponding to 24/5/2006 A.D

 

We have received the following question: What is the ruling of Sharia on the instructions governing the disbursement of money from the Income and Sales Tax Department Fund, published in the official gazette?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

First: Article (5), paragraphs (H, Z)

Paragraph (Z) stated that among the Fund`s revenues is:  "Loans obtained by the Fund from any source to be given as housing loans to the Department`s employees."

Paragraph (Z) stated that another source of the Fund`s revenues is: "Benefits and profits achieved by the Fund`s investment of the revenues referred to in the aforementioned article."

The Board is of the view that the following sentence must be added to the above paragraphs:"In line with the provisions of Islamic Law."

Second: Article (6) stated: "The committee shall deposit, the money referred to in article (5), in one or more of the non-Islamic banks."

The Board is of the view that the above money must be deposited in Islamic banks.

Third: Article (18) stated: "The administrative committee shall have the right to initiate all legal procedures against those who fall behind in repaying their monthly allocations, for whatever reason, in line with the stipulations of the concluded loan-contract."

The Board views that the above procedures must comply with the provisions of Islamic Law.

Fourth: Article (19), paragraph(A): "The loanee shall be charged with 2%, as administrative and general expenses, from the value of the loan, to be deducted instantly upon receiving the first payment."

The Board is of the view that a definite amount must be specified for all types of loans regardless of their value, and not a percentage from the value of the loan itself, in order to avoid Riba(Usury/interest).

Fifth: Article (22), paragraph (1): "The administrative committee shall have the authority, after the approval of the Director-General, to issue executive decisions concerning the following:

1- Developing the Fund`s resources.

2- Any decisions that guarantee executing the provisions of these instructions."

The Board is of the view that developing the Fund`s resources must comply with the provisions of Islamic Law. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

Dr. Yousef Ghizan/Member

Dr. Abdulmajeed Assalaheen/Member

Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawai/Member

Sheikh Abdulkareem Khasawneh/Member

Sheikh Na`iem Mojahid/Member

Dr. Wasif Albakhri/Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on someone who wakes up in a state of janābah (major ritual impurity) near the very end of the prayer's designated time, during cold weather — should he heat water in order to perform ghusl, even though the prayer's time will expire as a result, or should he perform tayammum instead?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
If the water is cold, and cannot be used due to fear of harm that is not ordinarily tolerable, or that would result in illness, then in this case it becomes obligatory to heat the water — even if heating it causes the time for Fajr to expire — and no sin is incurred in doing so, due to his valid excuse. He may not resort to tayammum (dry ablution) instead, since water remains available [and merely needs to be heated].
Imam Shihāb ad-Dīn Aḥmad ar-Ramlī (raḥimahullāh) said: "He was asked regarding a person who, if he were to use cold water, would experience harm that permits tayammum, and who has access to something with which he could heat the water — but if he heats it, the prayer's time will expire. Is it obligatory for him to heat it even if the time expires, or should he pray with tayammum within the prescribed time? He answered that it is obligatory for him to heat the water, even if the time for that particular obligatory prayer expires." [Fatāwā ar-Ramlī, Vol.1/P.98]
Imam al-Bājūrī (raḥimahullāh) said in his Ḥāshiyah on Sharḥ Ibn Qāsim (Vol.1/P.173): "And if he fears [harm] from using cold water, and is currently unable to heat it, but knows of a place where firewood is available, such that if he were to go there he would not return until after the prescribed time has expired — what appears [to be the correct position] is that it is obligatory for him to go and seek the firewood, even if the time expires as a result, as this is the position ultimately settled upon by ar-Ramlī, and as related from him by Ibn Qāsim." And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling on istibra' and how is it performed?

Istibra' (cleansing from urine) is recommended. It is for a person to ensure that nothing remains of urine in its passage before performing istinja'. Its method is: to clear the throat (or cough slightly), shake the penis (meaning to pass fingers along it to expel any remaining urine if needed), and walk a few steps to the extent that one thinks nothing of urine remains if walking is needed. Each person knows his own nature best. The preferred opinion is that this differs among people. The objective is for one to think that nothing remains in the urinary passage that he fears will exit later. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on offering a sheep as a sacrifice (Udhiyah) if its fat-tail is sound, except that when it was young, the tip of its fat-tail was cut so that it would grow larger? And what is the ruling in case of doubt regarding the amount that was cut?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Cutting a minor, insignificant portion from the tip of an animal's fat-tail (al-alyah) to encourage it to grow larger is not considered a defect, and it does not prevent the animal from being valid for sacrifice (Udhiyah).
 
It is stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol.9/P.352): "There is some scholarly deliberation regarding the common practice of cutting the tip of the fat-tail so that it grows larger. It could potentially be likened to a partial cut of the ear—supported by the jurists' general rule: 'even if it is a small amount.' On the other hand, if it is an exceptionally minor cut, it might have no effect on validity. This is explicitly clarified by the juristic exception to the general rule, which states that cutting a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm. This latter view is more well-founded.
 
Furthermore, I found that some scholars investigated this matter and concluded: 'It should not affect validity if a custom-sanctioned portion of its fat-tail is removed during its youth to make it grow larger and look better, just as castrating a male animal causes no harm.' However, applying this unconditionally contradicts the established texts of the jurists, as understood from what I have laid out; thus, the restriction I specified is what must be relied upon."
 
Similarly, it is mentioned in Nihayat al-Muhtaj (8/135): "If a small piece is cut from the fat-tail to help it grow larger, the most well-founded view is that the sacrifice remains valid, as was given in a formal legal verdict (Fatwa) by my father [Shihab al-Din al-Ramli], may Allah be pleased with him. This is proven by the jurists' maxim: 'The loss of a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm.'"
 
In cases where there is doubt as to whether the portion cut was large or small, the animal is still deemed valid for sacrifice. It is noted in Hashiyat al-Shubramallisi ‘ala Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol.8/P.135):
 
"This matter requires careful consideration, but the closer and more correct view is that it is valid. This is because soundness is the default state for the animal from which the piece was cut, and it aligns with what usually occurs—namely, that the part removed to help the fat-tail grow larger is naturally very small." And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

Can Zakah or Zakat al-Fitr be given to a poor brother?

Yes, it is allowed to give Zakah or Zakat al-Fitr to a poor brother, as he is considered among the eligible recipients.