Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



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

 
What is the ruling on someone who eats or drinks while uncertain about the arrival of dawn, then later finds out that dawn had not yet broken?

If a person does this, their fast remains valid, as it is confirmed that they ate during the night. Similarly, if someone eats while uncertain and remains unsure whether they ate before or after dawn, their fast is still valid. This is based on the maxim of Sharia Law, which states: "Certainty is not removed by doubt." Certainty, here, is the presence of night, and the doubt concerns the arrival of dawn. Therefore, one relies on certainty and disregards doubt.

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.

Is it valid for the 'aqīqah to be performed using the newborn child's own wealth?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is not permissible for the guardian to perform the 'aqīqah using the newborn child's own wealth, because the 'aqīqah is a voluntary act of giving (tabarru'), and a guardian is prohibited from making voluntary expenditures from the child's wealth. Should he do so, he becomes financially liable for what he spent. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it a condition for the mosque where I‘tikaf is performed to hold Jumu‘ah prayers?

No, it is not a condition for the mosque where I‘tikaf is performed to have Jumu‘ah prayers. However, if a person vows to perform continuous I‘tikaf, and Jumu‘ah occurs within that period, then they must observe I‘tikaf in a mosque where Jumu‘ah is held so that they do not break their continuity by leaving for Friday prayer.