Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No. (287): "Permissibility of Interest-Free Loans Provided by Islamic Banks"

Date Added : 27-05-2020

Resolution No. (287)(7/2020) by the Board of Iftaa, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Permissibility of Interest-Free Loans Provided by Islamic Banks"

Date: 14/Ramadan/1441 Hijri, corresponding to 7/5/2020 AD.

 

Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds.

At its fifth meeting held on the above date, the Board reviewed the question about small and medium-sized companies support program launched by the Jordan Islamic Bank based on an agreement with the Central Bank of Jordan in a bid to address the corona pandemic (See attached copy).

After careful consideration, the Board has taken the following decision:

First: Loans which will be provided by the Jordan Islamic Bank in cooperation with the Central Bank of Jordan don`t entail any interests. Rather, they are interest-free and aim to help the financially troubled businesses pay the salaries of their staff during the corona pandemic which is sweeping the globe.

Second: The defined fees charged by the Jordan Islamic Bank  on these loans cover administrative expenses-as stipulated in the agreement-and aren`t part of the bank`s profits. In fact, many Fatwas and resolutions of international Islamic Fiqh academies indicate that it is permissible to impose administrative fees on borrowers of interest-free loans so long as they (fees) are equal to the actual cost of the administrative expenses.

 Third: Although stipulating loan insurance at the Jordan Credit Guarantee Company with (25.%) as an annual commission is a sort of commercial insurance, which is basically prohibit, it is allowed at  the time of pandemic. The evidence on this is that the agreed upon maxims of Islamic jurisprudence affirm that necessities render prohibited things permissible. Al-Juwaini added: "General need is tantamount to individual necessity at time of affliction…….If the people ignored that need until it became a necessity, all of them would perish. Thus, they have to do what needs to be done to prevent present or future harm." {Ghayath al-Umam}.

In conclusion, little flaw is forgivable at the time of pandemic to enable communities overcome crisis with minimum loss where every member is expected to do their share of solidarity and cooperation which are the highest objectives of Sharia. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

 

 Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Abdulkareem al-Khasawneh

Dr. Ahmad al-Hasanat, Member

Dr. Mohammad al-khalayleh

Dr. Mahmoud al-Sartawi, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Judge Khalid Woraikat, Member

Dr. Majed al-Darawsheh, Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodaat/Member

Dr. Amjad Rasheed/Member

Dr. Jamil Khatatbeh/Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the wisdom behind legislating the Udhiyah?

The Muslim must know that through the Uḍḥiyah, he complies with the command of Allah, the Exalted, and performs a worship that brings him closer to Allah and distances him from the Fire.
 
The Uḍḥiyah holds profound wisdoms and noble meanings, including:
 
1-Reviving the Sunnah of Abraham, peace be upon him: He complied with Allah's command when He ordered him to slaughter his son Ishmael. Abraham, peace be upon him, succeeded in the test, and when he was about to slaughter his son, Allah sent down a ram to ransom Ishmael and commanded him to slaughter it instead. Allah, the Exalted, says {what means]: "And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, 'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.' He said, 'O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.' And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, 'O Abraham, You have fulfilled the vision.' Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice." [Al-Ṣāffāt/102-107]. Thus, the sacrificial offering became an enduring Sunnah until the Day of Judgment, and Muslims offer their wealth as sacrifices, drawing closer to Allah, the Exalted, reviving this great Sunnah.
 
2-Providing abundance for people on Eid day and the Days of Tashrīq: Among the wisdoms of the Uḍḥiyah is that the Muslim provides generously for his family, neighbors, relatives, and the poor during these days. The Muslim is encouraged to eat from his sacrifice, give charity from it to the poor, and gift from it to his wealthy neighbors. Thus, goodness spreads throughout the entire community. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The Days of Tashrīq are days of eating and drinking." (Narrated by Muslim). Allah, the Exalted, says {what means}: "And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good." [Al-Ḥajj/36]. This good includes the good of both this world and the Hereafter.

Is it required to fast consecutively when making up missed fasts?

● It is preferable to fast consecutively when making up missed fasts if they were missed due to a valid excuse.
● However, if the fasts were missed without a valid excuse, then fasting consecutively is obligatory, because making up the missed fasts in this case must be done immediately.
Separating the makeup fasts goes against the obligation of immediacy, but if someone does so, their fasts will still be valid. However, they will be sinful for delaying without a valid reason.

Is it obligatory to have the intention for each day of fasting, or is one intention sufficient for the whole month?

The intention is obligatory for each day of Ramadan because each day is an independent act of worship separate from the others.
The intention must be made at night before the break of dawn, as the Prophetﷺ said: "Whoever does not intend fasting at night, there is no fast for him." [An-Nasa’i] 
And he also said: "Whoever does not firmly resolve to fast before dawn, there is no fast for him." [At-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood, and An-Nasa’i]
Whoever wakes up and eats Suhoor while mindful of fasting has made the intention. Likewise, one who firmly intends at any moment during the night to fast the next day has also fulfilled the intention.

Is it permissible for the guardian to give Sadaqa (voluntary charity) from the money of the orphans?

It is impermissible for the guardian to donate from the money of the orphans because he is entrusted with the safekeeping of that money, and is prohibited from donating it.