Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(241): "Providing Individuals Born out of Wedlock with Information about their Mothers"

Date Added : 05-11-2017

Resolution No.(241)(9/2017) by the Board of Iftaa` Research and Islamic Studies:

 "Providing Individuals Born out of Wedlock with Information about their Mothers"

Date: (17/Dhul Qedah/1438);(10/8/2017)

 

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.

On its ninth session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the letter of His Eminence the Supreme Judge concerning the question sent from the Minister of Social Development  Eng. Wajeeh Azaizeh, and reads as follows:

I would like to bring to Your Grace`s attention the fact that the Ministry supports and protects children born out of wedlock as well as orphans. The former are received from early age and given names in cooperation with the Department of Civil Status and Passports as stipulated by the law.

At the age of eighteen, some of them send petitions to the Ministry requesting information that leads to their parents. The danger lies in the category where the mother is known since she could have settled down and made a family of her own. We can add that if any of them managed to reach their mother, she is most likely to experience trouble on the social level. Therefore, could You clarify the ruling of Sharia on the permissibility of giving such information to the above individuals?

Answer: After deliberating, the Board arrived at the following conclusion:

Individuals born out of wedlock are members of society and enjoy all the rights determined by Sharia. This emanates from the fact that Allah has honored the sons of Adam where He, The Almighty, Said (What means): "We have honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our creation." {Al-Isra`/70}.

One of these rights is to know the people to whom a person traces to, whether from the mother`s or the father`s side; especially since this constitutes the basis upon which many Sharia rulings rest, such as inheritance and women prohibited in marriage, as well as many social, psychological and daily life interests.

The Board is of the view that the right call in this regard is to approve of the above individuals` petitions since that is an essential right of theirs. However, each case should be examined in isolation and by a specialized committee, but on basis of giving precedence to that right. Nevertheless, if harm is likely to occur, in some cases, then the petition should be delayed and further solutions should be sought. As regards the social harms that usually result from this matter, the mother should try her best to absorb and face them in order to reduce the suffering of her child. And Allah Knows Best. 

 

Chairman of Iftaa` Board,

 Grand Mufti of Jordan,

 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh

Vice Chairman, Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa, Member

Dr. Majed Darawsheh, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Judge Khalid Woraikat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zo`bi, Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

In the Sharia-compliant viewing  at a prospective bride (*al-naẓrah al-sharʿiyyah*), is it permissible for the man to see the woman without a veil (*ḥijāb*)?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is sunnah for the suitor to see the woman he is seeking to marry within the limits the Sharīʿah permits, namely looking at the face and the hands (palms and backs), based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Look at her, for it is more likely to bring about harmony between you.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhī.
The suitor may also ask one of the women to look at the woman he is seeking to marry. In that case, she is permitted to see of her what she is normally permitted to see, which is not limited to the face and hands, and she then describes these matters to the suitor. It is narrated on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Umm Sulaym to look at a girl, and said: “Smell her breath, and look at her heels.” Narrated by Aḥmad in his Musnad.
It is stated in Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj (Vol.7/p.192): “For one who cannot easily look, or does not wish to look himself, it is sunnah to send someone who is permitted to look at her, to observe her and describe her to him, even regarding what he himself is not permitted to look at. He thereby gains through the sending what he would not gain through looking. Because of the added need for this, it is excepted from the prohibition of a woman describing another woman to a man.”
The permissibility of looking is conditional upon his resolve to marry her once he is able to, his predominant assumption that his proposal will be accepted, and his assumption that the woman is free of marriage and of a waiting period (ʿiddah). Otherwise, looking is forbidden.
Accordingly, it is not permissible for the suitor to look at anything other than the face and hands. He may ask one of his maḥram women, such as his mother or sister, to see the woman unveiled, and the Sharia-compliant viewing (of a prospective bride) must take place in the presence of one of the woman’s maḥrams. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on praying while wearing shoes?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.

There is no sin for a Muslim to perform prayer while wearing their sandals or shoes, provided they are free from any impurities (najasa). It was narrated that Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked: 'Did the Prophet ﷺ pray in his sandals?' He replied: 'Yes.'" (Related by Al-Bukhari).

It is stated in Fath al-Bari (Vol.1/P.494) by Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him): "Regarding the phrase 'praying in his sandals,' Ibn Battal said: 'This is understood to apply as long as there is no impurity on them; furthermore, this is considered one of the legal concessions (rukhas)." And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What should the one performing the slaughter say at the time of slaughtering the 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is Sunnah to say the following supplication at the time of slaughtering the 'aqīqah:
"Bismillāhi wallāhu Akbar, Allāhumma laka wa ilayka, hādhihi 'aqīqatu fulān."
("In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is for You and unto You — this is the 'aqīqah of [the child's name].")
This is based on what al-Bayhaqī narrated in Al-Sunan al-Kubrā (Vol.9/P.511), that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Slaughter it in his name and say: In the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is for You and unto You — this is the 'aqīqah of so-and-so."
And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is considered a woman`s Awrah (parts of the body that must be concealed during prayer) while offering prayer, and is her foot part of it?

A woman`s whole body is considered an Awrah while offering prayer except the hands and the face. Thus, her foot is an Awrah as well. And Allah Knows Best.