Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(329): "Ruling on Exchanging a Waqf "

Date Added : 09-07-2025

Resolution No.(329) (5/2025) "Ruling on Exchanging a Waqf "

Date (27/Dhul-Hijjah/1446 AH), corresponding to (23/6/2025 CE)

 

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.

In its fourth session held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa, Research and Islamic Studies considered the letter sent from His Excellency the Minister of Awqaf (Endowments), Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites, Dr. Muhammad Al-Khalayleh. The letter stated: "Attached herewith is a copy of the Awqaf Board`s Resolution No. (4/3/205) (20/3/2025 CE), regarding the request submitted by the heirs of M. H. to exchange the roof of the fuel station on which the Abu Al-Anbiya' Mosque (peace be upon him) is built, located on plot number (115), basin number (45) of Al-Humraniya lands in Amman, with plot number (972), basin number (44) of Umm Suwaywinah lands in Amman. This is due to reasons related to the disapproval of the relevant authorities to renew the license for the station, which is in violation of the regulations, and the mosque's location on top of the station's fuel tanks. I request a clarification of the Sharia opinion regarding the issuance of a document for exchanging the Waqf."

After research, study, and deliberation, the Board resolved the following:

The established principle among jurists is that a Waqf (An endowed property) may not be sold, gifted, or exchanged, because it has passed out of the ownership of the endower, and thus he is not permitted to dispose of it in any way that would nullify its benefit.

Furthermore, if land is endowed and becomes a mosque, thereby acquiring the status of a mosque (Masjidiyyah), it is not permissible to exchange it under any circumstances according to the majority of jurists, due to the permanence of its mosque status. However, some jurists permitted the exchange of a mosque if its intended benefits become impaired, such as it becoming too small for its community and impossible to expand, or due to the dilapidation of the area or neighborhood where it is located.

Accordingly, the Board, after careful consideration, views that, in order to achieve the benefit of the Waqf and the public interest, and to avert the harm and great danger to worshippers and frequenters of the mosque due to its location above a fuel station – a situation that could effectively negate its benefit – there is no sin in exchanging the Waqf. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

 

Chairperson of Iftaa` Board

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Prof. Mahmood Al-Sartawi/ Member

Dr. Zaid Ibrahim Al-Kilani/ Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi/ Member

Dr. Hasan Makhatreh/ Member

Judge Fares Foraihat/ Member

Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodat/ Member

Prof. Amjad Rasheed/ Member

Dr. Waleed Al-Shaweesh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Younis Al-Zou`bi/ Member

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

What is the wisdom behind the legislation of fasting?

Fasting is a divine school from which the believer learns much and trains in virtues that may be needed in life. Among these virtues is patience, as it is the month of patience. Fasting also teaches honesty and consciousness of Allah in both private and public, for there is no observer over the fasting person in abstaining from lawful pleasures except Allah alone.
Fasting strengthens willpower, sharpens determination, and nurtures mercy and compassion among the servants of Allah. It is a struggle against the self, a restraint of desires, a purification of the soul, and a cultivation of goodness.
The Prophetﷺ said: "Allah, the Almighty, said: ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except for fasting; it is for Me, and I shall reward for it. Fasting is a shield. So when one of you is fasting on a day, let him not engage in obscene speech or raise his voice in anger. If someone insults him or fights him, let him say: I am a fasting person. By Him in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the breath of the fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the fragrance of musk.’" [Bukhari and Muslim]

What are the pillars of fasting?

The pillars of fasting are intention and abstaining from all nullifiers of fasting from dawn to sunset.

What is the ruling on performing dry ablution (tayammum) on a wall or stone?

One of the conditions for tayammum is that it be with pure, clean dust (soil). It is not valid to perform tayammum by striking stones, a wall, sand that has no dust (i.e., that does not produce dust), pebbles alone, or clay, as these are not from the earth or its same category. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on using a miswak (tooth-stick) during the day in Ramadan?

It is permissible to use a miswak before noon while fasting. However, according to the Shafi'i school, it is disliked (makruh) after noon in order to preserve the natural effect of fasting in the mouth, as the Prophetﷺ said in authentic hadith:
"The breath of a fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the fragrance of musk."