عربي
Home


Resolutions of Iftaa' Board


Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Date Added : 03-04-2018

Resolution No.(252)(5/2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Mother Authorizing Hospital to Treat Child"

Date: 6/Jumada Al-Akhirah/1439 AH, corresponding to 22/2/2018.

 

 

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.

 

During its third session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the question sent from Dr. Ali Mish`al and Dr. Mou`min Al-Hadidi, and it read as follows:

How legal is it for a mother to authorize hospital to treat her minors or mentally disabled children? Is that an exclusive right of the father and male blood relatives who can act on his behalf? Or is it permissible for the mother to make the authorization, knowing that, in some cases, she commits herself to covering the expenses?

 

After deliberating, the Board decided what follows:

 

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.

 

Islamic Law has given incompetent persons-the child, the mad and the like-the right to receive all types of care, such as that pertaining to health and medical treatment. It has made this the responsibility of the guardian, and gave the father the right to guardianship, at first, in order to put its requirements in order. However, no matter who the guardian may be, his/her actions should be in the best interest of those under his/her guardianship when it comes to their material rights, expenses and else. For example, the right to receive the best and most suitable medical care. Al-Imam Ar-Ramli (May Allah have mercy on his soul) said: "It is incumbent upon the guardian-father or else- to act in the best interest of those under his guardianship, because Allah, The Almighty, Said (What means): "And approach not the wealth of the orphan save with that which is better" {Al-An`am, 152}. He, The Exalted, also Said (What means): "And if ye mingle your affairs with theirs, then (they are) your brothers. Allah knoweth him who spoileth from him who improveth." {Al-Baqarah, 220}." {Moghni Al-Mohtajj}.

 

An example on this care is providing the child and other incompetent persons with medical treatment without delay so as to spare them any harm. Therefore, if it was difficult for the hospital to obtain an authorization from the father or the grandfather, then it is permissible to obtain it from the mother. This is based on the Sharia maxim {Which means}: "What we can`t do, doesn`t annul what we can do" In other words, since treating a patient is obligatory in all situations, so we don`t abstain from that because some guardians aren`t available; rather, some jurists have made all Muslims, in general, responsible for providing care to whoever doesn`t have a guardian. Therefore, it is imperative that the hospital acts in the best interest of the patients regardless of who the guardian may be, because every course of action that inflicts harm on the patient is prohibited. This is based on the Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah said: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” {Ibn Majah}.

 

In its resolution No.(10/18), the International Islamic Fiqh Academy permitted initiating medical treatment without securing the patient`s or guardian`s consent in the following situation: "The patient is in critical condition that necessitates immediate medical attention to save his/her life before his or his guardian`s consent could be obtained." In this case, sufficing with the mother`s permission should take precedence.

 

However, in non-urgent cases, laws and regulations-which should be legislated with utmost care-should be observed so as for the medical interest of the "Minor" to be fulfilled. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh

Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh, Member

Prof. Abdulnaser Abulbasal,  Member

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa, Member

Dr. Majid Darawsheh, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Judge Khalid Woraikat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

Dr. Wa`el Arabyat/ Member

Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaaz/ Member

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on cheating to pass High School Exams?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
 
The Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever cheats, he/she isn`t one of us." [Muslim]. You should study hard in order to pass and excel. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

How to pay Zakah(obligatory charity) on articles of merchandise?

Articles of merchandise are estimated by their whole sale market price at the end of each lunar year, and (2.5%) of their value is paid as Zakah whether it(value) went up, or down compared to actual purchasing price, and whether the increase(profit) was in the article itself such as an increase in the animal`s weight, or in the prices themselves.

What is the ruling on someone who vowed to fast for two consecutive months, but failed to do so?

He is obliged to fulfill his vow by fasting for two consecutive months, but if he fails to do so then, it remains a debt on him until he either fulfills his vow, or dies. In case of his death, his guardian is supposed to fast on his behalf, or donate food from his estate in return for fasting, but if the guardian fails to do so then, it is all in the Hands of Allah.

Is it permissible for a person to sever ties with his sister because her husband had quit prayer and done him harm?

A sister is a blood-relative and maintaining blood-relations is mandatory in Islam. As regards her husband, he should be invited to the way of Allah with wisdom and beautiful preaching.

See More