Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(172)"Ruling on the Religion of Minors whose Father Has Reverted to Islam"

Date Added : 27-10-2015

Resolution  No.(172) (4/2012) by The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"Ruling on the Religion of Minors whose Father Has Reverted to Islam"

Date: (25/6/1433  A.H); (17/5/2012  A.D)

 

All praise is due to Allah, peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon his family and companions:

The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies reviewed, in its third session held on Thursday (25/Jumada al-Akhirah/1433 A.H); corresponding to(17/5/2012 A.D), the question sent by the Bureau of Civil Status, and reads as follows:
Would you kindly clarify the ruling of Islamic Sharia and any other details concerning the repercussions of a father`s proclaiming Islam on his children: minors, adults, and those born after he had embraced Islam?
After careful study and deliberation, the Board decided what follows:
Once the father embraces Islam, his children who haven`t reached puberty follow him in faith  as well. This is according to the consensus of Muslims scholars, jurists, and the verdicts of the Muslim Judges throughout the different stages of the Islamic history. They have established this ruling on the following verse: “And those who believe and whose families follow them in Faith,- to them shall We join their families. “{At-tur/21}. Joining their families to them in The Hereafter is an evidence on joining  their families to their faith in the Life of this world. This is  why the interpreters said regarding  the meaning of this verse; “Their families follow them in faith.”
Embracing Islam by the father is one of the most solid means of proving that his children follow his faith as Al-Shirbini( May Allah bless his soul) said: “ Judging that a child is a Muslim is based on two aspects: one of them-the strongest- is by birth, so if one of his/her parents is a Muslim ,then he/she is a Muslim by consensus of the Muslim scholars and in order to give preference to the Islamic faith.’{ Moghni Al-Mohtajj(3/606),the quotation has been slightly changed}. As for the adult, he/she remains on his/her faith until he/she chooses to embrace Islam voluntarily, if they don`t, then they aren`t considered Muslims. 
Based on the aforementioned, embracing Islam by the father indicates that his underage children follow his faith, and the same goes for the ones born after the father had embraced Islam. However, it is impermissible for the minor to revert to his mother`s faith in case she didn`t embrace Islam. And Allah knows best.

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh.
Vice Head of the Iftaa`Board, Prof. Ahmad Helayel
His Excellency, Prof. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi/ Member
Prof. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member
His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member
Pro. Mohammad Al-Qhodat/ Member
Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member
     Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member
Dr.Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member
 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is an elderly or chronically ill person required to pay additional fidyah if they delay it beyond the first year?

An elderly person or someone permanently unable to fast must pay fidyah by feeding one needy person for each missed day.
However, if they delay paying fidyah beyond the first year, no additional fidyah is required.
This differs from someone who delays making up missed Ramadan fasts (qada) without a valid excuse until the next Ramadan begins—such a person is required to pay an additional fidyah for the delay.

Should nail polish be removed before making ablution?

Yes, it should be removed because it prevents water from reaching the nails.

What is the ruling on giving Zakat al-Fitr in cash?

The default ruling is that Zakat al-Fitr should be given as the staple food of the land. In Jordan, for example, the staple food is wheat or rice, and the amount of Zakat al-Fitr is 2,500 grams per person. It is easy to give this amount of rice to the poor and needy, and this is the correct ruling according to all Islamic schools of thought.
However, Hanafi scholars have permitted giving Zakat al-Fitr as monetary value, considering it more beneficial for the poor and easier for the giver.

What is the ruling on a woman using contraception without her husband's knowledge if he is mistreating her?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is not permissible for a woman to use any means of delaying pregnancy without her husband's knowledge, consent, and mutual agreement. This is because having children is a sharʿī right belonging to both spouses equally in Islamic law. Imām al-Māwardī, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated: "The right to a child from a free woman is shared between them both" — meaning between the two spouses. [al-Ḥāwī al-Kabīr, 9/320]
It is therefore not permissible for either spouse to make a unilateral decision regarding the prevention of pregnancy without the consent of the other. We advise both spouses to discuss the matter with wisdom and mutual respect, so as to resolve any disagreement and arrive at a suitable solution that serves the interests of them both. And Allah the Almighty knows best.