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

What is the ruling on applying perfume while fasting?

Applying perfume does not break the fast. However, it is better to avoid it, as fasting is a practice of simplicity and restraint, while perfume is a form of luxury.

What is the ruling on doubting whether one or two prostrations were performed?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
If a worshiper is in doubt regarding the number of units (rak'ahs) or prostrations (sajdahs) performed, he must build upon the minimum (i.e., assume the lower number) and perform the prostration of forgetfulness (Sujud al-Sahw) before the Salam at the end of the prayer. This is based on the report from ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'When anyone of you is in doubt about his Salat (prayer) and does not know how many he has prayed, three or four (Rak'at) he should cast aside his doubt and base his prayer on what he is sure of. Then, he should perform two prostrations before Taslim (salutation). If he has prayed five Rak'at, they will make his Salat (prayer) an even number for him and if he has prayed exactly four, they (i.e. two prostrations) will be humiliation for the devil..' (Narrated by Abu Dawud).
 
It is stated in Al-Muqaddimah al-Hadramiyyah: 'If one doubts [whether he performed] a bowing (ruku’), a prostration, or a rak'ah, he must perform it and prostrate [for forgetfulness], even if the doubt is removed before the Salam—unless the doubt is removed before he performs what would potentially be an addition. Thus, if he doubts whether he prayed three or four, he is obligated to build upon the minimum.' And Allah the Exalted knows best.

Who is the one deemed "able" (al-qādir), for whom the uḍḥiyah (sacrificial offering) is sunnah?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The one who is deemed "able" (al-qādir) [to perform the uḍḥiyah, i.e., the sacrifice] is someone who possesses wealth sufficient to acquire the sacrificial animal, over and above what is needed to cover his own living expenses and the living expenses of his wife and children — or of anyone else whose financial support (nafaqah) is legally obligatory upon him — for the day of ‘Eid and the three days of Tashrīq [that follow it], since this is the designated time period for the sacrifice. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

Who is responsible for performing the aqiqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The one upon whom the 'aqīqah is incumbent is whoever is obligated to financially maintain the newborn — whether the father, paternal grandfather, or mother. It is to be performed from their own wealth, not from the wealth of the newborn child.
As for one upon whom the financial maintenance of the newborn is not obligatory, they may not perform the 'aqīqah except with the permission of the one upon whom it is obligatory — namely, the father. And Allah Almighty knows best.