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

What is the ruling on a woman who takes medication to delay menstruation for fasting?

If a woman takes medication (to delay menstrual period) and does not experience menstruation, her fast is valid. However, she is not advised to do so unless there is a necessity.
If the medication harms her, even potentially, it is forbidden (haram) for her to take it.

Is my husband entitled to take my salary?

Your salary is yours, and you may give some of it to him as a kind of free-will contribution.

What is the ruling on the fasting of a woman who has reached menopause if menstrual blood flows?

If a woman reaches the age of menopause (which is usually sixty-two) and her menses have ceased, then she sees blood after that, and its duration is not less than a day and a night (24 hours), it is menstruation (hayd). If it is less than a day and a night, she is considered as having non-menstrual vaginal bleeding (mustahada), so she fasts and prays. However, she must perform ablution for every obligatory prayer after its time enters, pray immediately, and be treated as a person with a continuous condition. There is no specific end limit for a woman's menstruation; it is possible as long as the woman is alive. 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.