Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No. (265): "Ruling on Preventive Mastectomy"

Date Added : 15-11-2018

Resolution No. (265) (19/2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Preventive Mastectomy"

Date: (23/Safar/1439 AH), corresponding to (1/11/2018).

 

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.

On its twelfth session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the question sent to the electronic website of the General Iftaa` Department. It sated: Is it permissible for a woman to undergo preventive mastectomy, because she is at risk of getting cancer as indicated by the medical history of her family`s where both her sister and mother already have it? Is it permissible that she has her breast filled with silicon as a cosmetic procedure? It is worth pointing out that from a scientific point of view, the removal of the breast is purely preventive.

After deliberating, the Board arrived at the following decision:

The final say as regards the suitable medical treatment pertains to the trustworthy people of specialized medical experience. According to them, valid and reliable scientific research has proven that rise in the percentage of getting cancer is due to genetic factors; particularly when tests show that the mother has had that disease since an early age. When test results of genetic mutations show that cancer is likely to be passed to the next generation, preventive mastectomy is favored, as it takes precedence over waiting for cancer to attack since there is high risk that it will, and it is far more serious than the harms of mastectomy itself. In this case, we recommend that the questioner follows the advice of the people of specialty and undergoes the preventive mastectomy since the agreed upon rules of Sharia confirm that harm should be eliminated and when there are two evils, the lessor should be chosen.

However, if the fear of getting cancer is unjustified or it is a mere over- exaggerated psychological concern, then we don`t allow resorting to preventive mastectomy since Islam has honored the human body. The alternative lies in early detection and preventive treatment, as this is better. And Allah Knows Best. 

 

Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh

Sheikh Abdulkareem AlKhasawneh/ Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi/ Member

Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaaz/ Member

Dr. Muhammad Khair Al-Issa/ Member

Dr. Majid Al-Darawsheh/ Member

Prof. Adam Noah/ Member

Judge. Khaled Al-Wrikat/ Member

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for a suitor to go out with his fiancé upon the conclusion of the marriage contract?

Upon the conclusion of the marriage contract, the woman becomes lawful for her husband. However, the customary practice should be observed in this regard since rights could be lost in case of divorce, or death.

If someone starts the day sick or traveling while fasting, is it permissible for them to break their fast?

● A sick person who finds fasting difficult is allowed to break their fast, whether they began the day fasting or not.
● As for a traveler:
○ If they were still at home at dawn and then traveled after Fajr (dawn), they must continue fasting unless they experience extreme hardship, in which case they may break their fast.
○ However, if they were already traveling when dawn broke—meaning they had left their town before Fajr—then they are permitted to break their fast. This is what the Prophetﷺ did during the year of the conquest (of Makkah).

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."

Does an internal medical examination for a woman affect her fast?

An internal medical examination for a woman invalidates the fast because it involves the entry of a foreign object into the body cavity (jauf) while fasting.
In this case, the woman must refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day out of respect for Ramadan and make up for the missed fast after Ramadan.
Such an examination should be avoided in Ramadan and other months unless absolutely necessary, as exposing the private parts is only permissible in cases of necessity.
If necessary, a woman should seek a Muslim female doctor first. If one is unavailable, she may see a female doctor from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians). If neither is available, she may consult a trustworthy and competent Muslim male doctor.