Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(249): "Ruling on Inviting Doctors to Attend Scientific Conferences and Meetings"

Date Added : 09-06-2020

Resolution No. (249)(18/2017) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Inviting Doctors to Attend Scientific Conferences and Meeting"

Date: (2/ Rabie` 2nd/1439 AH), corresponding to (21/11/2017 AD).

 

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 the above date, the Board received a question sent from a Jordanian citizen to the Electronic Website of the General Iftaa` Department. It stated as follows:

What is the ruling of Sharia on the invitations sent to doctors by pharmaceutical companies to attend scientific conferences overseas, knowing that travel and accommodation expenses are covered by the companies themselves? Also, what is the ruling on inviting doctors to scientific lectures accompanied with a fancy business lunch or dinner at a state hotel?

After deliberating, the Board arrived at the following decision:

It is permissible for doctors to take sample medications offered by representatives of pharmaceutical companies as well as attend academic conferences, provided that they adhere to the following rules of Sharia and the medical profession:

First: It doesn`t affect the doctor`s decision in prescribing the medication that suits the patient`s condition.

Second: The doctor takes the financial condition of the patient into consideration.

Third: The doctor adheres to the rules and regulations governing this sector in the ministry or party with whom he works. 

Fourth: The doctor`s aim is to achieve progress in his field of specialty and benefit the patients.

In conclusion, treatment is the responsibility of the doctor before Almighty Allah. He/she should observe the rules of Sharia and the moral code. Therefore, if the afore invitations and conferences could undermined his/her adherence to the above rules, then they should be turned down. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 

Chairman of Iftaa` Board

Grand Mufti of Jordan

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh

Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh, Member

Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaz, Member

Dr. Majid Darawsheh, Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat, Member

Judge Khalid Woraikat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zo`bi, Member

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to appoint a proxy for the sacrificial offering outside Jordan?

In the name of Allah; all praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to appoint a proxy—whether an individual or a charitable organization—to perform the sacrificial slaughter (Udhiyah) on one’s behalf, even if it is carried out in a country other than that of the donor. This is conditional upon the proxy’s adherence to the established requirements of the Udhiyah, including the animal’s age, its freedom from physical defects, the designated timing of the slaughter, and the proper distribution of the meat.
However, it is preferable for the one offering the sacrifice to perform the slaughter personally, in order to attain the full reward and blessings of the act. And Allah (Exalted be He) knows best.

Is a person rewarded for refraining from all that breaks their fast when required to do so, and is it considered a valid fast?

If a person eats or drinks thinking that Fajr has not yet arrived, but then someone informs them that Fajr had already begun, they must refrain from eating for the rest of the day and make up the fast later.
If they observe the required restraint (imsak), they will be rewarded for obeying the command because fulfilling an obligation brings reward.
However, this is not considered a valid fast in terms of rulings. For example:
● It is not disliked (makruh) for them to use a miswak after noon.
● They are not encouraged to hasten the breaking of the fast at sunset.
● Other fasting-related rulings do not apply to them.

Is it permissible to offer an Udhiyah on behalf of the deceased?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) on behalf of a deceased person is permissible. This is the official position of the Hanbali school (as stated in Kashshaf al-Qina’ by al-Bahuti,Vol.6/P.428) and was also upheld by the prominent Shafi'i scholar Al-’Abbadi (mentioned in Bidayat al-Muhtaj by Ibn Qadi Shuhbah,Vol. 4/P.358). It has likewise been narrated as a valid view among some Maliki and Hanafi scholars.
 
In fact, Imam Abu Dawud dedicated an entire chapter in his Sunan collection entitled, "Chapter on Sacrificing on Behalf of the Deceased." In it, he recorded a narration from Hanash, who said: "I saw 'Ali sacrificing two rams, so I asked him, 'What is this?' He replied, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded me to offer a sacrifice on his behalf, so I am sacrificing on his behalf.'"
 
Imam Abu Dawud also narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, this is from You, for You, and on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah (community). In the Name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest," and he then slaughtered the animal.
 
The textual evidence here lies in the fact that our Master, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), offered a sacrifice on behalf of his entire community—and it is well-established that his community includes those who have already passed away.
 
Furthermore, there is an abundance of sacred texts demonstrating that the rewards of righteous deeds reach the deceased. For instance, it is permissible to fast on behalf of a deceased person who passed away with missed obligatory fasts, and it is equally permissible to perform Hajj on their behalf, both of which are firmly established in authentic Hadiths. Therefore, if the reward of fasting (which is a purely physical act of worship) and Hajj (which is a joint physical and financial act of worship) can reach the deceased, then the reward of an Udhiyah reaches them with greater reason (by way of A Fortiori argument). This is because it is a purely financial act of worship, falling under the general category of charity (Sadaqah).
 
Additionally, scholars have reached a consensus (Ijma') that the rewards of charity reach the deceased, and since the Udhiyah is inherently an act of charity, it falls under the same ruling. Consequently, based on all the aforementioned evidence, we hold the view that offering a sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is entirely permissible. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling on Zakat al-Fitr?

Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim for themselves and for those they are financially responsible for, provided they possess wealth that is surplus to their and their family's needs on the night and day of Eid.
Ibn Umar reported: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory—one sa‘ (measure) of dates or one sa‘ of barley—upon every Muslim, whether slave or free, male or female, young or old." [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
Its estimated amount is approximately 2,500 grams of wheat or rice, and the General Iftaa` Department issues an annual ruling specifying its monetary value.