Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(283): "Islamic Ruling on Washing the Person who Died from an Infectious Disease such as the one caused by Corona Virus"

Date Added : 02-06-2020

Resolution No.(283)(3/2020) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Islamic Ruling on Washing the Person who Died from an Infectious Disease such as the one caused by Corona Virus" 

Date: (24/Rajab/1441 AH), corresponding to (19/3/2020).

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. At its second meeting held on the above date, the Board reviewed the question about the ruling of Islam on washing the person who died from an infectious disease such as the one caused by the corona virus?

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

Whoever died during a pandemic, it is hoped that Allah will grant him a reward similar to that of a martyr. This is attested to in the Hadith where the Prophet (PBUH) said: "None (among the believers) remains patient in a land in which plague has broken out and considers that nothing will befall him except what Allah Has Ordained for him, but that Allah Will Grant him a reward similar to that of a martyr." {Bukhari}.

In addition to hoping that Allah will grant him a reward similar to that of a martyr, in principle, the deceased person must be given ritual washing (Ghusl), shrouding with a piece of cloth (Kafan) and a funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah). This is provided that the necessary protective measures are put in place to make sure that the persons who do these (Ghusl, kafan and Salat al-Janazah) don`t get infected. In case protective measures couldn`t be taken, funeral and burial preparations must be done as much as possible, even if it be spraying the dead body with a hose and shrouding it with a piece of cloth. The evidence on this is the Sharia maxim which states: "The easy thing shall not be waived by the difficult thing." Moreover, Allah The Almighty Says {what means}: "Allah tasketh not a soul beyond its scope." {Al-Baqarah, 286}. As for the funeral prayer, it may be delivered by the smallest number of prayer performers, even if it be one person. We pray that Allah showers all the dead Muslims with His mercy. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

 

Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Abdulkareem al-Khasawneh

Dr. Mohammad al-khalayleh

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Dr. Majed al-Darawsheh, Member

Dr. Ahmad al-Hasanat, Member

Judge Khalid Woraikat, Member

Dr. Jamil Khatatbeh/Member

Dr. Amjad Rasheed/Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is Zakat al-Fitr obligatory for an unborn child (fetus)?

Zakat al-Fitr is not obligatory for a fetus. However, if the child is born before sunset on the last day of Ramadan, then Zakat al-Fitr must be given on their behalf.

What is the ruling on the Friday bath (ghusl al-Jumu'ah)?

The Friday bath is a confirmed Sunnah, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever performs ablution on Friday, it is good for him, and whoever takes a bath, bathing is better." (Reported by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi who said it is a hasan hadith). It is recommended for everyone who wants to attend the Friday prayer, even if they are not from its usual attendees, like a woman or a boy.
If a person is in a state of major impurity (junub) and intends by his bath both lifting the major impurity and the Friday bath, he achieves both. If he intends only one of them, he achieves only what he intended. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible to purchase the Udhiyah on installments?

It is permissible to purchase the sacrificial animal (uḍḥiyyah) on installments or by borrowing its price. However, it is not recommended for the poor to do so, because they are not required to offer a sacrifice, and Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. If doing so would lead to negligence in providing for one's dependents (nafaqah wājibah), then giving precedence to obligatory maintenance over borrowing to buy the sacrifice is appropriate. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "It is sufficient sin for a person to withhold food from those whom he is responsible to support."
 
Furthermore, the sacrifice is valid from one who has a debt, but it is preferable (awlā) to repay the debt first, especially if the debt is due immediately (ḥāll). And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on performing Tarawih in sets of four rak‘ahs with only one Tasleem?

It is not permissible to combine more than two rak‘ahs with a single Tasleem in Tarawih prayer. Whoever does so, their prayer is invalid. Shaykh al-Islam Imam Muhammad al-Ramli (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: "If a person prays four rak‘ahs of the Tarawih prayer with a single Tasleem, it is not valid if they did so intentionally and with knowledge [of the prohibition]. Otherwise, it becomes an 'absolute voluntary prayer' (nafl mutlaq); because it is contrary to what has been prescribed." [Nihayat al-Muhtaj, Vol.2/P.127].