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 eating or drinking during the second Adhan?

It is not permissible to eat or drink during the second Adhan because it announces the break of dawn and the obligation to start fasting. Allah Almighty says {what means}:"and eat and drink until you can discern the white streak of dawn against the blackness of night." [Al-Baqarah/187].
Whoever eats or drinks during this time invalidates their fast, and they must refrain from eating for the rest of the day and make up for the missed fast later.

 

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on eating or drinking during the circumambulation?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is disliked (makrūh) to eat or drink during the circumambulation (ṭawāf).
Shaykh al-Islām Imām al-Nawawī states in al-Majmūʿ: "It is disliked to eat or drink during ṭawāf, and the dislikedness of drinking is lighter. Neither of them, nor both together, invalidates the ṭawāf. Al-Shāfiʿī said: 'There is no objection to drinking water during ṭawāf, and I do not consider it sinful; however, I prefer that it be avoided, as refraining from it is more befitting in terms of proper conduct.' Among those who explicitly stated the dislikedness of eating and drinking, and that drinking is the lesser of the two, is the author of al-Ḥāwī."
If, however, a person is in genuine need of drinking, then there is no dislikedness in doing so. In any case, the ṭawāf itself remains valid. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on Zakat al-Fitr?

Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim for themselves and for those they are financially responsible for, provided they possess wealth that is surplus to their and their family's needs on the night and day of Eid.
Ibn Umar reported: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory—one sa‘ (measure) of dates or one sa‘ of barley—upon every Muslim, whether slave or free, male or female, young or old." [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
Its estimated amount is approximately 2,500 grams of wheat or rice, and the General Iftaa` Department issues an annual ruling specifying its monetary value.

Is it required for a discerning child to make the intention at night if they wish to fast?

If a discerning child wishes to fast during Ramadan, they must make the intention at night because intention is one of the pillars of fasting, even though fasting is not obligatory for them.