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Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No. (297) (17/2020): "Investing Land Endowed for Building a Mosque

Date Added : 09-02-2021

Resolution No. (297) (17/2020), By The Board of Iftaa', Researches and Islamic Studies:

"Investing Land Endowed for Building a Mosque"

Date: (16th of Rabi'ul-Akhir, 1442 AH), corresponding to (2/12/2020 AD).

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

In its 13nth meeting held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa` reviewed the letter No.4/2/2/10794 sent from His Excellency the Minister of Awqaf, Holy Sites and Islamic Affairs Dr.Mohammad Al-Khalayleh. It stated as follows: "We would like to bring to your attention that Mr.Yaghi has donated the land No. (586/5) (Al-Ar-Rafiah, An-nawaijees Village, of the lands of eastern Amman) for building a mosque. This land is estimated at (530) square meters and is registered in the name of the Ministry of Awqaf, Holy Sites and Islamic Affairs under a contract of hibah (gift)/2009. This land has been vacant since 2009, however, several mosques were built near it and they suffice for prayer performers residing in that area. However, this land is considered in violation of the regulations stated in the Jordanian Law in this regard. In addition, not benefitting from it defies the purpose for which it was endowed in the first place. Based on the aforementioned, what is the ruling of Sharia on investing this land?

After careful consideration, the Board has arrived at the following resolution :

It is permissible to invest the above land and use the revenue in favor of the surrounding mosques, and in a manner that achieves the purpose for which it was endowed. This is of course after the donor, or his heirs in case he was dead, approve of that. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

 

 Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Sheikh Abdulkareem al-Khasawneh

Prof. Mahmoud Al-Sartawi/ Member

Dr. Majed al-Darawsheh/ Member

Judge Khalid Woraikat/ Member

Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodaat/ Member 

Dr. Amjad Rasheed/ Member

Dr. Jamil Khatatbeh/ Member

Dr. Ahmad al-Hasanat/ Member  

Dr. Mohammad Younis Al-Zou`bi / Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

My father has debts and asked me to repay them years ago, and I promised him I would do so upon his death — is it permissible for me to go back on my promise given that I am unable to repay them, especially since he refuses to contribute to repayment on the grounds that the debt has become my responsibility by virtue of my promise?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The established principle is that a father's debt is to be repaid from his own wealth, if he possesses sufficient means. As for the promise made by the son to repay it on his father's behalf, fulfilling such a promise is strongly recommended, and breaking it is considerably disliked. Shaykh al-Islām Imām al-Nawawī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "Fulfilling a promise is emphatically recommended, and breaking it is severely disliked. The evidences for this from the Qurʾān and the Sunnah are well known." [Rawḍat al-Ṭālibīn,Vol. 2/P.278] Shaykh al-Islām Imām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī, may Allah have mercy upon him, further states: "The reason fulfilling a promise is not obligatory and breaking it is not forbidden is that a promise is in the nature of a gift, and a gift does not become binding except upon receipt." [Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib,Vol. 2/P.487]
Given that the son does not possess the financial means to fulfil his promise to his father, breaking this promise falls beyond his capacity — and Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. Since the father himself possesses sufficient wealth to settle his own debt, repayment must be made from his own funds. Should he pass away before doing so, the debt is to be settled from his estate. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on selling gold or silver in installments or for a differed price?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is prohibited (haram) to sell gold or silver in installments or for a deferred price; rather, immediate hand-to-hand exchange (Taqabud) is mandatory, otherwise, it is considered usury (Riba). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, dates for dates, and salt for salt—like for like, hand to hand. Whoever increases or asks for an increase has engaged in Riba; the receiver and the giver are the same in this regard.' (Narrated by Muslim). Furthermore, when exchanging new gold for used gold, they must be of equal weight, or it falls into Riba.
 
The permissible solution (al-makhraj) is for the merchant to purchase the used gold for cash first, and then sell the new gold for cash in a separate transaction. However, the price must be paid during the sitting of the contract (Majlis al-Aqd) for both deals. Alternatively, the jeweler may take the used gold with the intent of remodeling or repairing it, and then charge a fee for the craftsmanship or repair work. And Allah the Exalted knows best."

Does collecting saliva and swallowing it break the fast?

Swallowing collected saliva does not break the fast, but it is an unnecessary and meaningless act.

Is it incumbent on a father to cover the marriage costs of his son if the latter couldn`t afford them?

The son should seek the help of his relatives in order to convince his father to do the aforesaid, and the father should make sure that his son doesn`t commit fornication through helping him to get married, and Allah will reward him for doing so.

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