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 it permissible to give Zakah (obligatory charity) to one`s poor sister, or brother?

It is permissible for one to give the Zakah to his poor sister, or brother if providing for them isn`t due on him, and the sister doesn`t receive sufficient provision from whomever that is due on. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it permissible for a woman whose menses exceeded (15) days to pray, fast and do what was prohibited on her to do during the latter period?

If the menses exceeded 15 days then it is deemed menstruation, and in this case she is obliged to pray and fast and to do what was impermissible for her to do during the latter period. In addition, she is obliged to make an ablution for each obligatory prayer after it's due time and making sure that impuity is removed. Finally, your menstruation period is over (Questioner) simlar to your menstruation in the previos month.

Is it permissible to give my zakat to my grandson who is studying at university, while I am living abroad and my money is in my home country? Also, is it permissible to assign my father the responsibility of distributing the zakat to the people in my home country?

 

It is permissible to give zakat to a son whom his father is supporting if he is an adult and in good health, because his father is not obligated to support him, making him one of the poor among the Muslims. However, the student who may receive zakat is one who is diligent in seeking beneficial knowledge for the Muslims and is religious. Zakat should be paid in the country where the money is located, and appointing your father to distribute the zakat in the country where the money is is the correct approach. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it permissible for a Muslim physician to specialize in gynecology obstetrics, and what is the ruling on working as such?

Some fields of knowledge are an individual duty while others are a collective one, and specializing in gynecology obstetrics is a collective duty. However, if there were female physicians to treat women, then there is no need for a male gynecology obstetrics specialist to look at women`s Awrahs (private parts) except in necessary situations since the jurisprudential maxim says:” Necessity must only be assessed and answered proportionately.” And Allah Knows Best.