Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(228): "Ruling on Distributing Donations that haven`t Reached their Destination"

Date Added : 28-11-2016

Resolution No.(228)(12/2016) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Distributing Donations that haven`t Reached their  Destination"

Date: (8/Thulghidah/1437 AH), corresponding to (11/8/2016 AD).

 

All perfect praise be 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.

During its tenth session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the question of the Secretary-General of the Vocational Syndicates Complex , and it reads as follows:

Out of solidarity with the people of Gaza in the aftermath of the latest Israeli aggression against them, the Vocational Syndicates have launched fundraising campaign in their favor. As a result, many  projects have been executed in cooperation with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) such as: caravan houses, clothes for children, stationery, medical supplies, and the like. The latest of these projects was purchasing winter clothes for the children with a sum of (100,000)JDs. from the donations dedicated to the strip. In fact, these were sent in lorries after coordinating with the (JHCO); however, the Israeli authorities allowed a third into the strip and returned the rest. This is what we have been told by the (JHCO) who also told us that resending this shipment is impossible because the Israeli occupation could ban delivering any type of aid in the future. Moreover, it is also hard to keep these items at the warehouse of the (JHCO) for long; therefore, could you tell us the ruling of Sharia on redistributing these items amongst the poor and needy in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan?

After deliberating, the Board decided the following:

There is no harm that the (JHCO) distributes these items amongst the poor and needy in Jordan since donations and charities should be spent in the channel for which they have been raised in the first place. If that wasn`t possible, then they should be spent in a similar channel, for Allah, The Almighty, Says (What means): "Allah tasketh not a soul beyond its scope." {Al-Baqarah/286} and " for God suffereth not the reward to be lost of those who do good;" {At-Tawbah/120}. In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "You will be rewarded for what you intended" {Musnad Ahmad}. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Sheikh Abdulkareem Khasawneh

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

Prof. Abdulrazak Abulbasal/ Member

Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaz/ Member

Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member

Sheikh Sa`id Hijjawi/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa/ Member

Judge, Khalid Woraykat/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

 

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

What is the age of the Aqiqa or the Udhiyah?

 
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The minimum age for a sacrificial animal (Udhiyah) and the birth sacrifice (Aqiqa) is as follows:
 
Camels: Five years old, entering their sixth year.
 
Cattle and Goats: Two years old, entering their third year.
 
Sheep: One year old, entering their second year; however, it is permissible for a sheep to be six months old provided it is large in size and plump.
 
And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What are the Sunnahs and etiquettes recommended for the person offering the Udhiyah?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
There are several Sunnahs (prophetic traditions) and etiquettes that are highly recommended for the person offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) to observe:
 
First:
It is a Sunnah for anyone intending to offer a sacrifice to refrain from cutting or removing any of their hair or nails once the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah begin. This is based on the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "When the ten days [of Dhul-Hijjah] begin and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not touch any of his hair or skin." (Narrated by Muslim)
 
However, if someone does happen to remove any hair or nails, they have not committed a sin, and their sacrifice remains perfectly valid.
 
Second:
The person offering the sacrifice should ideally slaughter the animal themselves. If they are unable to do so, they should at least witness its slaughter. This is drawn from what our Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), said to Lady Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her):
 
"Stand up and witness your sacrifice, for with its very first drop of blood, every sin you have committed will be forgiven." (Narrated by Al-Tabarani in his Mu'jam, Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, and Al-Bayhaqi in his Sunan)
 
Third:
Face the Qiblah (the direction of prayer) at the time of slaughtering, as the Qiblah is the most honorable of directions.
 
Fourth:
Pronounce the name of Allah (Tasmiyah) at the moment of slaughter by saying: "Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim" (In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). Even if one forgets to say it, the meat remains lawful (Halal) to eat. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, says:
 
"So eat of that [meat] upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned." (Al-An'am: 118)
 
It is also recommended to send blessings upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and to follow it with the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar).
 
Fifth:
Supplicate for acceptance by saying: "Allahumma hadhihi minka wa ilayka, fa-taqabbal minni" (O Allah, this is a blessing from You and is offered back to You, so please accept it from me). This means: This sacrifice is a blessing that originated from You, and I am offering it to draw closer to You. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling on eating from one`s Udhiyah?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) is divided into two categories: the vowed sacrifice (Al-Mandhurah) and the voluntary sacrifice (Al-Tatawwu').
 
First: The Vowed Sacrifice (Al-Mandhurah)
This refers to a sacrifice that has become strictly obligatory due to a formal vow (Nadr). It is completely impermissible for the person offering it, or any members of their family whom they are financially obligated to maintain, to eat any of its meat or fat. Furthermore, it is unlawful for them to personally benefit from its hide, wool, or any other part of it. If they happen to eat any portion of it, the offerer is legally obligated to give an equivalent amount of meat or its monetary value to charity. (As noted in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj by Imam Ibn Hajar al-Haytami,Vol. 9/P.364).
 
Second: The Voluntary Sacrifice (Al-Tatawwu’)
This is a recommended, non-obligatory sacrifice. The person offering it is fully permitted to eat from its meat, distribute portions as charity to the poor, and give pieces as gifts to those who are well-off. However, it remains a mandatory requirement to donate at least a minor portion of it to charity; this should not be less than approximately half a kilogram of raw, uncooked meat. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

Is it a condition that one should offer two sacrifices for a male newborn?

It is desirable to offer two sheep for a male newborn, and one for a female newborn. Offering one sheep for the male newborn is also permissible as it observes the Prophet`s Sunnah in this regard.