Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(300): "Maintaining Unity to Cope with COVID-19"

Date Added : 06-04-2021

Resolution No.(300) (3/2021) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Maintaining Unity to Cope with COVID-19"

Date: (17nth of Sha'ban, 1442 AH), corresponding to (31/3/2021 AD).

 

In The Name Of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

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 light of the spread of COVID-19, as experts have stated, and the fact that it is posing a serious threat to every member of our society, in addition to rising mortality rates, We pray to Allah to shower us with His mercy. We call on all Jordanians to unite in the face of this cunning enemy since Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancour: fear Allah. for Allah is strict in punishment." {Al-Maida/2}.

In its meeting No.(4/2021) held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa` emphasized that the religious sentiment experienced by the loyal citizens during this pandemic is completely harmonious with the religious identity of our beloved Jordan, which is very keen on performing religious rights in all circumstances.

It is no secret that the competent authorities have recommended reducing the numbers of gatherings during particular hours of the day in a bid to minimize infections, which led to closing universities, institutions, schools and mosques. It is normal to have a sense of grief for not performing prayers at the mosque, however, this indicates perfection of faith. Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "That (is the command). And whoso magnifieth the offerings consecrated to Allah, it surely is from devotion of the hearts." {Al-Haj/32}.

However, this religious sentiment shouldn`t be a cause for the spread of the pandemic and the division of Muslims particularly since the closures and their resulting rulings are subject to Ijtihad (Independent reasoning) where arriving at the right decision entails two rewards while arriving at the wrong decision entails one reward. Therefore, we shouldn`t accuse others of non-adherence to the general provisions of Islamic Law, question their intentions or tag them with treason. Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "And whoso committeth a delinquency or crime, then throweth (the blame) thereof upon the innocent, hath burdened himself with falsehood and a flagrant crime." {An-Nisa`/112}.

It is the duty of every individual in this society to promote the culture of cohesion, collaboration, unity, and love. We should also enhance our confidence in religious role models and scholars of Sharia in compliance with this verse {What means}: "Who hear advice and follow the best thereof. Such are those whom Allah guideth, and such are men of understanding." {Az-Zumar/18}. Allah The Almighty also Says {What means}: "speak fair to the people" {Al-Baqarah/83}. We pray that every member of our community and their loved ones remain healthy and well. We also pray to Allah to protect our country and Hashemite leadership. Indeed, He is All-Hearing and answers the prayer. And every success is from Allah Alone.  All Praise is due to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds.

 

Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies.

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Abdulkareem al-Khasawneh

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh, Member

Dr. Mahmoud Al-Sartawi, Member (Left before the end of the Board`s meeting)

Dr. Majed al-Darawsheh, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Judge, Dr. Samer Al-Kubbaj, Member

Dr. Amjad Rasheed, Member (Although the statement covers important and pressing issues in guiding society, it isn`t sufficient. Therefore, I recommend that real studies, in written form, are conducted by experts about the justifications for the Friday curfew {Friday prayer} and banning people from walking to the mosque to perform Fajr and Maghrib prayers since their time is very close to the beginning and end of the curfew-hours. I also recommend considering allowing people to walk to the mosque for `Isha prayer. All of this should be conducted through validated studies from experts in written, not verbal form, then the statement should be based on this form along with complete adherence to safety instructions inside the mosque and other venues).

Dr. Ahmad al-Hasanat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Younis Al-Zou`bi, Member

 

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

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 wisdom and purpose behind the 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
Among the wisdoms and purposes of the 'aqīqah are the following:
First: Expressing joy at the blessing of Allah the Almighty, rejoicing in the newborn, and giving thanks to Allah for this gift. Allah the Almighty says (what means): "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you." [Ibrāhīm/7]
Second: Proclaiming and publicising the lineage (nasab) of the child — and the 'aqīqah serves as an appropriate and fitting means to this end.
Third: Gladdening the hearts of family members, relatives, friends, and the poor by gathering them together over a shared meal. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law if the follower (maʾmūm) stands up for the third rakʿah out of forgetfulness while the imam has sat for the middle tashahhud?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
If the imam sits for the tashahhud while the follower (maʾmūm), out of forgetfulness, stands up for the third rakʿah, he is obliged to return to his sitting position, since following the imam is obligatory. In this case, no prostration of forgetfulness (sujūd al-sahw) is required of him. If, however, he fails to return, his prayer is rendered invalid.
Shaykh al-Islām Imām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "If the follower stands up alone out of forgetfulness, he is obliged to return, since following the imam is obligatory... If he does not return, his prayer is rendered invalid, due to his departure from what is obligatory." [Asnā al-Maṭālib,Vol.1/P.190] And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Should one who doesn`t perform prayer out of laziness make it up later, and how should he/she do so?

All perfect praise be to Allah,The Lord of The Worlds                                                                                                                                                              He/she is obliged to make up missed prayers by offering with each obligatory prayer another one, and if he/she offers two, then it is better. And Allah Knows Best.