Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(253): "Donating for an Educational Waqf"

Date Added : 05-04-2018

Resolution No.(253)(6/2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, research and Islmaic Studies:

"Donating for an Educational Waqf"

Date: (6/Jumada Al-Akhirah/1439 AH), corresponding to (22/2/2018).

 

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 third session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the letter sent from the Minister of education, Dr. Omar Al-Razaz and it read as follows: I appreciate your Grace`s tremendous efforts and blessed support for the "Educational Waqf" initiative launched by my Ministry in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to encourage Jordanians to make donations in favor of the various aspects of the educational process since that is vital for the development of society. I will be very grateful if you could kindly clarify the ruling of Sharia on educational Waqf and donating for education?

After deliberating, the Board decided:

Waqf (Endowment) is a priceless opportunity for offering good deeds, and is among the greatest charities. Actually, it is a perpetual charity whose reward never comes to an end. The Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘alayhi Wassalam (PBUH) said: “When a human being dies, his or her good deeds also come to an end, save three things (that they leave behind): (first) a perpetual charity (sadaqa jariyah), (second) any beneficial knowledge, and (third) a pious child praying for him or her.” {At-Tirmithi}.

Moreover, Narrated Ibn `Umar: When `Umar got a piece of land in Khaibar, he came to the Prophet (PBUH) saying: "I have got a piece of land, better than which I have never got. So what do you advise me regarding it?" The Prophet (PBUH) said: "If you wish you can keep it as an endowment to be used for charitable purposes." So, `Umar gave the land in charity (i.e. as an endowment on the condition that the land would neither be sold nor given as a present, nor bequeathed, (and its yield) would be used for the poor……." {Bukhari & Muslim}.

There is consensus among Muslim jurists on the permissibility of establishing a Waqf for the benefit of the Muslim Ummah (Nation), such as that whose returns are spent on hospitals, schools and mosques. Al-Imrani (May Allah have mercy on him) said: "It is valid to endow every item whose basis is kept undiminished, such as plots of land, clothes, furniture, weapons and animals" {Al-Bayan Fi Math-hab al-Imam Al-Shafie}.

Education constitutes an urgent interest for Muslims because it is of great benefit to them in terms of qualifying their youth and paving their way for a brighter future. Endowing funds for this very purpose is recommended by Sharia and giving voluntary charity is amongst the righteous deeds through which a person receives a great reward from Almighty Allah in the Hereafter, and through it worldly interests are fulfilled.

Throughout the great history of Islam, many a Madrasa-equal to universities of today- was founded, and students` expenses were covered for by the revenue of endowments. For example, Al-Hadith Al-Ashrafyah Madrasa established by Al-Ashraf and ran by Al-Imam Ibn Al-Salah, The Salihiyya Madrasa named after Salahuldin Al-Ayoobi, Al-Madrasa Al-Nidamiyah named after Nidam, the Seljuk king, Al-Madrasa Al-Ghazalia named after Al-Imam Al-Ghazali….etcetera. Revenues of endowments have covered the expenses of all these schools and supported their academic progress. This is according to the book [Ad-Daris Fi Tareikh Al-Madaris].

In conclusion, giving donations for the advancement of the educational process and endowing funds in favor of the "Educational Waqf " initiative is recommended 

by Sharia. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh

Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh, Member

Prof. Abdulnaser Abulbasal,  Member

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa, Member

Dr. Majid Darawsheh, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Judge Khalid Woraikat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

Dr. Wa`el Arabyat/ Member

Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaaz/ Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is the Saying "Whatever is Taken by the Sword of Shyness is Forbidden" an Authentic Ḥadīth?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The saying "Whatever is taken by the sword of shyness is forbidden" is not an authentic ḥadīth, though its underlying meaning is sound. The established sharʿī principle is that a Muslim's wealth is not lawful for anyone to take except with his wholehearted consent, as Allah the Almighty says {what means}: "O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly, but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent." [Al-Nisā/ 29] And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Listen to me and you will live well: do not wrong others, do not wrong others, do not wrong others. Indeed, a man's wealth is not lawful except with his full, willing consent." (Reported by Aḥmad in his Musnad.) Whatever is taken through the pressure of shyness or social embarrassment runs directly counter to genuine, wholehearted consent.
The jurists have explicitly stated that whatever is taken by means of the "sword of shyness" carries the same ruling as that which is taken by coercion — it must be returned to its rightful owner.
Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states in al-Fatāwā al-Kubrā (Vol.3/P.30): "Do you not see the reported scholarly consensus that whoever has something taken from him purely out of shyness, without his genuine consent, does not pass ownership of it to the one who took it? They reasoned that this constitutes a form of coercion through the 'sword of shyness,' comparable to coercion at the point of an actual sword. Indeed, many people would rather submit to the literal sword and endure the pain of its wound than submit to this first kind of coercion, out of fear for their dignity and standing — which people of sound judgment hold dear and guard most fiercely." And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible to eat from an Udhiyah slaughtered on behalf of a deceased person?

Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our Master the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to eat from the sacrifice (uḍḥiyyah) that is offered on behalf of a deceased person. This is the madhhab (school of thought) of the Hanbalis. In this case, the heirs take the place of the deceased as if he were alive, with the same rights to eat from it, give it in charity, and offer it as a gift.
 
It is stated in Maṭālib Uli al-Nuhā (Vol.2/P.472): "Offering a sacrifice on behalf of a deceased person is better than offering one on behalf of a living person, because the deceased is unable (to perform deeds) and is in need of reward. It is to be treated like a sacrifice on behalf of a living person in terms of eating, giving charity, and giving gifts." And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on water that contains ornamental fish — does it become impure on account of their waste?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The water in a pond containing ornamental fish is pure so long as it has not been altered, for a small amount of fish waste (rawth) is pardoned and overlooked — provided it does not change the water.
It is stated in Ḥāshiyat al-Jamal ʿalā Sharḥ al-Manhaj (Vol.1/P.178): "A small amount of hair from a non-edible animal is pardoned, as is a small amount of hair from a riding animal — on account of the hardship involved in avoiding it — and likewise a small amount of fish waste is pardoned, unless it alters the water." And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on the colored discharges that appear one or two days before the menstrual cycle?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Colored discharges carry the same Islamic ruling as blood, whether they appear at the beginning or the end of the menstrual period. This remains true even if the discharge is intermittent—appearing for some days and stopping for others before returning—provided that the total duration does not exceed fifteen days nor fall short of a day and a night (24 hours). This is because the minimum duration of menstruation (Hayd) is one day and a night, while its maximum duration is fifteen days. Furthermore, the minimum period of purity (Tuhr) between two menstrual cycles is fifteen days, and there is no maximum limit for it. And Allah the Exalted knows best."