Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(126): "Ruling of Sharia on Building Graves over each other"

Date Added : 18-12-2017

Resolution No.(126): "Ruling of Sharia on Building Graves over each other"

Date: 27/4/1430 AH, corresponding to 23/4/2009.

 

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 date, the Board reviewed the letter of the Chairman of Abu Nussair Local Committee, No. 6/9/139, 27/1/2009, which includes the intention to build graves over each other.
After deliberating and researching, the Board decided what follows:
In principle, it is imperative that each deceased person is buried in one grave, and it isn`t permissible to bury more than one person in one grave if that wasn`t necessary. However, in case of necessity, such as when there are many deceased persons and it is difficult to bury each in a separate grave, burying them in one grave is permissible.
If the deceased person was buried in a grave, it isn`t permissible to build any structure over it, except that which preserves their corpse and keeps it in its place. Moreover, it isn`t permissible to bury a deceased person over another as indicated by the Hadith of Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him), who said: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) forbade that the graves should be plastered (made into permanent structures), used as sitting places (for the people) or building over them." {Muslim}.
In addition, the grave should be in an underground hole, because the Prophet (PBUH) said about those killed in the Battle of Uhud: "Dig graves and make them good and deep…" {Sunn An-Nassa`i}.
In conclusion, it is impermissible to build graves over each other because they are actually like the big drawers of hospitals` mortuary fridges, and not graves in the sense that suits the dignity of the Muslim person. Moreover, there is no need for burying more than one person in one grave since the desert is very vast, a human being is only buried once, and wherever there is a cemetery people can reach it. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Grand Mufti of Jordan, Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

Vice-Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

Sheikh Sa`eid Hijjawi/ Member

              Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Eesa/ Member

                                                            Judge Sari Attieh/ Member

    Dr. Abdulrahman Ibdah/ Member

            Dr. Mohammad Al-Ibraheem/ Member

            Dr. Abdulnaser Abu Al-Basal/ Member

                        Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Executive Secretary of the Iftaa` Board

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on performing the Witr prayer as a single rak`ah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to perform the Witr prayer as a single unit (rak‘ah). It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that a man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about the night prayer, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied: 'The night prayer is offered two by two (mathna mathna). If one of you fears the approach of dawn, let him pray a single rak‘ah to make what he has prayed odd-numbered (Witr) for him.' (Related by al-Bukhari & Muslim)). However, limiting the prayer to only one rak‘ah is considered 'contrary to the preferred way' (Khilaf al-Awla).
 
It is stated in Al-Minhaj al-Qawim Sharh al-Muqaddimah al-Hadramiyyah (p. 137): 'The minimum of Witr is one rak‘ah, but limiting it to that is contrary to what is best.'
 
The most complete form of Witr is eleven units, while the minimum level of 'perfection' is three units. It is stated in ‘Umdat al-Salik (p. 60): 'The minimum of Witr is one rak‘ah, and its maximum is eleven, performing the taslim (salutation) after every two units. The lowest level of perfection is three units with two separate taslims (meaning 2+1).' And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on purchasing a home through conventional commercial banks for those living in the West?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The ruling of Islamic Law on purchasing a home through usurious/interest-bearing loans was previously detailed in Fatwa No. (760). Its summary affirms the prohibition of purchasing homes through interest-bearing loans, based on the general foundational principle of the strict prohibition of Riba (usury). This is the position we hold in devotion to Allah Almighty, and it is the religious edict we convey to the people.
 
As for considering the specific circumstances of a particular country or individual, the questioner must personally consult scholars whom they trust within their country of residence. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible to use unscented petroleum jelly (Vaseline) during ‘Umrah, in order to prevent skin chafing or irritation?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
According to the Shāfi‘ī school, it is permissible for someone in the state of iḥrām to use oils and creams free of perfume/fragrance on parts of the body other than the head and beard, for a genuine medical need — such as preventing skin chafing or irritation. However, applying them to the head or beard remains unlawful.
Shaykh al-Islām, Imam an-Nawawī (raḥimahullāh), says in al-Majmū‘ (Vol.7/P.279): "Oils are of two types: the first is an oil that is neither perfumed itself nor contains any perfume — such as olive oil, sesame oil, ghee, butter, walnut oil, almond oil, and similar oils. The use of this type is not unlawful anywhere on the body, except on the head and beard — where its use is unlawful without any disagreement [among the scholars]." And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling on someone who fainted while fasting?

● If a person had the intention to fast from the night but then fainted during the day and regained consciousness before sunset, even for a moment, their fast remains valid.
● However, if they remain unconscious for the entire day, from Fajr until sunset, their fast does not count, and they must make up for that day later.