Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No. (270): "Amendments to Zakat Draft Law"

Date Added : 23-01-2019

Resolution No. (270) (1/2019) by the Council of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Amendments to Zakat Draft Law"

Date: (4/Jumādā al-Awwal/1440H), corresponding to (10/1/2019)

 

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

During its session held on the above date, the Council reviewed the letter: (D T 1/1/Q/37), ( 27/12/2018) - sent from His Excellency Dr.Nofan Ajarmeh, Director of Legislation and Opinion Bureau. It stated: "In reference to the letter - (Z1/35739), (20/12/2018)-of His Excellency the Prime Minister about the Zakat Draft Law/2018, I have sent the aforementioned Law to Your Grace in the form agreed on by the Ministerial Legal Committee. Kindly, discuss it with the Iftaa` Council to deliver the ruling of Sharia on it in order to pave the ground for the continuation of the enactment procedures duly.

After deliberating, the Council decided the following:

First: Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. It was decreed in the noble Quran to enhance social solidarity and compassion and  achieve social justice. Therefore, the Iftaa` Council highly values every initiative in support of this obligation and finding suitable ways to put it into effect to deliver its pioneering role in the Muslim society. Allah, The Almighty, Has Defined the categories of people entitled to receive Zakat in Surat [At-Taubah (9)], verse (60): "The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise."

Second: Out of keenness on this obligation (Zakat), its independence, and its Sharia conditions, the Council, after having reviewed the above-mentioned draft law, is of the view that the Zakat foundation must divide the Zakat in accordance with the above verse. However, the Council objects to  Article (B/9), which stated: "The Zakat Foundation shall abide by transferring the collected sums in favor of the social security package endorsed in the General Budget Law to preserve the independence of the Zakat sums due to their special nature, Zakat being an act of worship as well as an obligation. Moreover, these sums shouldn`t be listed within the General Budget Law.

Third: The Council is of the view that Article (10/H) confirms the right to "Conditioned Zakat' to the giver, and this contradicts with Article (9/B) since the condition made by the giver of Zakat must be met within the framework of the Sharia conditions in this regard, even if it doesn`t agree with the social security package, which wasn`t clearly defined in the draft law. In addition, the right to "Conditioned Zakat" could be used as a means of not giving Zakat.

Fourth: In Article (3/A), the foundation was named "General Foundation of Zakat". The Council recommends adding the word "Sadaqat."Therefore, it should become "General Foundation of Zakat and Sadaqat."

Fifth: The Council suggests that the Law stipulates including the Minister of Awqaf or his representative and the representatives of religious organizations as members of the Board of Trustees.

Sixth: Adding a paragraph to Article (8) stipulating the inclusion of "Bequests" as one of the Foundation`s financial resources.

Seventh: Adding the word (the poor) to paragraph three and five of Article (9), and deleting the word "Refugees" from the same Article.

Eighth: The council deems necessary that the Foundation`s budget must be clearly refelected as part of the general budget.

Ninth: Changing ((Fatwa and Sharia-Supervisory Board)) to ((Sharia-Supervisory Board)).

Ten: The Council objects to Article (16), which stipulates that the foundation`s board of trustees endorses the resolution of the Sharia-Supervisory Board since, on the contrary, the latter`s resolution must be binding to the board. 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-Worikat/ Member 

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

Dr. Rashaad Al-Khilaani

 

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What are the Sunnahs and etiquettes recommended for the person offering the Udhiyah?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
There are several Sunnahs (prophetic traditions) and etiquettes that are highly recommended for the person offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) to observe:
 
First:
It is a Sunnah for anyone intending to offer a sacrifice to refrain from cutting or removing any of their hair or nails once the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah begin. This is based on the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "When the ten days [of Dhul-Hijjah] begin and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not touch any of his hair or skin." (Narrated by Muslim)
 
However, if someone does happen to remove any hair or nails, they have not committed a sin, and their sacrifice remains perfectly valid.
 
Second:
The person offering the sacrifice should ideally slaughter the animal themselves. If they are unable to do so, they should at least witness its slaughter. This is drawn from what our Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), said to Lady Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her):
 
"Stand up and witness your sacrifice, for with its very first drop of blood, every sin you have committed will be forgiven." (Narrated by Al-Tabarani in his Mu'jam, Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, and Al-Bayhaqi in his Sunan)
 
Third:
Face the Qiblah (the direction of prayer) at the time of slaughtering, as the Qiblah is the most honorable of directions.
 
Fourth:
Pronounce the name of Allah (Tasmiyah) at the moment of slaughter by saying: "Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim" (In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). Even if one forgets to say it, the meat remains lawful (Halal) to eat. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, says:
 
"So eat of that [meat] upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned." (Al-An'am: 118)
 
It is also recommended to send blessings upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and to follow it with the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar).
 
Fifth:
Supplicate for acceptance by saying: "Allahumma hadhihi minka wa ilayka, fa-taqabbal minni" (O Allah, this is a blessing from You and is offered back to You, so please accept it from me). This means: This sacrifice is a blessing that originated from You, and I am offering it to draw closer to You. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling on someone who fasts but does not pray?

A Muslim must be diligent in fulfilling all obligations, and after the Shahadah, prayer is the most important duty.
● If someone abandons prayer out of disregard, they are considered a disbeliever, and their fasting is not accepted.
● If they abandon prayer out of laziness, they are still a Muslim, and their fasting remains valid, but they have committed a grave sin by neglecting prayer.

How to perform the witr prayer in terms of connection (wasl) and separation (fasl)?

 
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The Witr prayer has several forms that vary in terms of virtue:
 
The First Form: Separating every two units (rak‘ah) with a Tashahhud and a Taslim (salutation). This is superior to connecting the units, even if it is only a single rak‘ah. This is based on the Hadith of ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): 'The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray eleven units between the end of the ‘Isha prayer and dawn, performing the Taslim after every two units and performing Witr with a single unit.' (Related by al-Bukhari & Muslim).
 
The Second Form: Connecting the units with only one final Tashahhud at the very end.
 
The Third Form: Connecting with two Tashahhuds—meaning reciting the Tashahhud before the final unit without performing the Taslim, then standing to complete the final unit. This form is considered the lowest in rank so that the Witr prayer remains distinct from the obligatory Maghrib prayer, as stated in the Hadith: 'Do not make the Witr resemble the Maghrib prayer.' (Narrated by Al-Daraqutni, who stated its narrators are trustworthy).
 
It is stated in Bushra al-Karim Sharh al-Muqaddimah al-Hadramiyyah: 'It is permissible to connect [the Witr] with one Tashahhud in the final unit—which is better—or with two Tashahhuds in the last two units, as both methods are established in Sahih Muslim from the actions of the Prophet ﷺ. In the connected method, more than two Tashahhuds are prohibited. Furthermore, separating (al-Fasl) is better than connecting (al-Wasl) if the number of units is the same, because the Hadiths supporting it are more numerous and it involves more devotional actions.' And Allah the Exalted knows best."

How is Laylat al-Qadr observed?

Laylat al-Qadr is observed through various acts of worship and obedience, including:
● Performing obligatory, Sunnah, and voluntary prayers
● Reciting the Quran
● Increasing remembrance (dhikr) of Allah
● Giving charity
● Performing I‘tikaf
● Inviting others to Allah
It is also Sunnah to increase in supplication and humbly beseeching Him, Glorified and Exalted be He.