Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No. (266) "Ruling on Renting Mosque`s Roof"

Date Added : 30-12-2018

Resolution No. (266) (20/2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies: "Ruling on Renting Mosque`s Roof"

Date: (05/Rabi` Rabīʿ al-Awwal/1440 AH), corresponding to (13/12/2018)

 

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 fourteenth session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the letter of His Excellency Minister of Awqaf Islamic Affairs and Holy Places (No.3/2/346-5/11/2018). It read as follows: I would like to bring to Your Grace`s attention the fact that the Awqaf Council has reviewed the request submitted for investing the roof and yards of Huthayfah Ibn Al-Yaman`s Mosque (Tabaraboor). Ad-Dar Darak Restaurant will install a solar system there for a period of twenty-five years in return for an annual payment. However, the Ministry of Awqaf will be the sole owner of that system and it won`t affect the mosque`s solar panels. Could you clarify the ruling of Sharia on this so that the Awqaf Council takes the proper decision in light of it? 

After deliberating, the Iftaa` Board arrived at the following resolution:

There is no harm in renting the roof of that mosque for installing solar power generators where the rent money is steered to the benefit of the mosque. This is provided that this project doesn`t prevent people from performing prayers since Sharia neither hinders a well-established interest nor whatever helps visit and maintain the mosques of Allah. The important thing, here, is that the Waqf (Endowment) maintains serving the purpose for which it was endowed in the first place and that no harm is inflicted upon the praying people and other worshippers. The proof of this is that it was reported that some Hanafi jurisprudents said, "It is allowed to rent the roof of a mosque to use the rent money for its maintenance."{Al-Bahar Al-Raa`iq}.

 

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-Worikat/ Member
Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member
Dr. Rashaad Al-Khilaani

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is Zakah (obligatory charity) due on owned land?

Zakah is due on the land used as an article of merchandise and was originally bought for that end. Zakah is due on it at the end of every lunar year. Its value is estimated, and (2.5%) of the total value of all such lands owned by the questioner is given as Zakah. However, no Zakah is due on the land used for building a house, or an agricultural purpose.

Is it permissible to slaughter a sheep on Eid al-Adha with the intention of charity (sadaqah) on behalf of a sick person, and with the intention of udhiyah (sacrificial animal) at the same time?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The udhiyah (sacrificial animal) is an act of worship intended for its own sake; therefore, it must be slaughtered with the intention (niyyah) of udhiyah.
 
Whoever intends to draw closer to Allah through this act of obedience with the intention of udhiyah, and also intends to gift the reward to another person, there is no Islamic objection to that. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What are the valid excuses for abstaining from congregational prayer in the mosque?

 
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Concessions (Rukhsah) are granted to abstain from congregational prayer in the mosque due to general excuses, such as: rain that causes hardship in going out, strong winds at night, heavy mud that cannot be traversed without the risk of soiling oneself, hot winds, and extreme heat or cold. There are also specific individual excuses, such as: illness that makes walking as difficult as walking in the rain, severe drowsiness, evident hunger or thirst, the suppression of bodily wastes (urine, stool, or gas), and fear for one's life, limb, physical faculty, wealth, or honor, among other valid excuses. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on bypassing a nearby mosque for a distant one?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If a distant mosque has a larger congregation (Jama‘ah) while the congregation in the nearby mosque is smaller, and the congregation in the nearby mosque is not adversely affected by the worshiper's absence, then it is better for him to pray in the distant mosque with the larger congregation. However, if the congregation in the nearby mosque would be affected by his absence—such as if he is its Imam, or if his presence encourages others to attend—then praying in the nearby mosque is better. This ensures that the congregation is established in two different locations within the community. This is based on the saying of the Prophet ﷺ: 'A man's prayer offered with another man is purer than his prayer which he offers alone, and his prayer with two men is purer than his prayer with one and if they are more (in number), it is more beloved to Allah, the Mighty the Majestic' (Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, and An-Nasa'i). And Allah the Exalted knows best.