Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(179): "Ruling on Giving up Fast by Sportsmen"

Date Added : 17-11-2015

Resolution No.(179)(11/2012) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Giving up Fast by Sportsmen"

Date: 28/8/1433 AH, corresponding to 18/7/2012 AD.

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

On the above date, the Board reviewed the following question:

Is it permissible for sportsmen to give up fasting in order to take part in competitions?

After researching and deliberating, the Board decided what follows:

It is not permissible for sportsmen to give up fasting in order to take part in competitions because  it isn’t one of the Sharia-approved excuses. Allah Has Said (what means): "Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting." {Al-Baqarah/185}. Since fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, it is obligatory for everyone who is competent for religious assignments and has the ability to carry them out. Therefore, such people have to reorganize their priorities to be able to observe the obligatory fast.

It is impermissible to give priority to sport events over a pillar of Islam; particularly since it is possible to hold competitions in Muslim countries  after Maghrib time, or to arrive at a certain arrangement with the sport officials of the non-Muslim countries in order to make it possible for the Muslim competitors to observe obligatory fast.

If the competitor has experienced unusual hardship because he had to take part in that competition, then he is allowed to break his fast. However, that doesn`t exempt him from making the intention to fast and to actually observe the fast of each day of Ramadan from its beginning. If he experiences unusual hardship, then he is allowed to break his fast, but he should make up the missed days later.

However, if the sportsman was travelling for a long distance-more than (81km.) - then he is allowed to break his fast during the time of his travel, although it is better for him not to break his fast, since Allah, The Almighty, Says (What means): "For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew." {Al-Baqarah/184}. If he broke his fast, then he is obliged to make it up later, as indicated by the following verse: "(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later." {Al-Baqarah/184}. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the General Iftaa` Board, His grace the Mufti General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Prof. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi/ Member

Prof. Mohammad Al-Khwdah/Member

Prof. Abdul N`nassir Abu-Al-bas`sal/Member

Dr.Yahia Al-Boutoosh/Member

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Az`zoubi/ Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on a vowed animal sacrifice?

A vowed animal sacrifice is to be distributed amongst the poor and needy, and neither the vow-maker, nor those supported by him are to eat from it.

Which is better, to pray at a prayer place (Musala) whereas many people pray in it, or at a near by mosque in which a few people perform prayer?

Praying at the mosque that has a bigger number is better so long as the number of praying people at the other mosque permits performing prayers in congregation. And Allah Knows Best.

I have been married for five years. My husband has two sons from his first marriage. Nevertheless, I took care of his children, and gave birth to a baby boy who is now three years old. Unfortunately, we keep fighting all the time; sometimes over his two sons and sometimes over his family. If I serve his family members and praise them, he treats me kindly. If I don`t, he turns my life into living hell. What should I do?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.

Spouses should live with each other on a footing of kindness and equity. In your case, constructive dialogue is the best course of action. We advise you to be patient, commit your affair to Allah and ask Him to help you. We also recommend that you seek the help of the people of goodness and make them fix things between you and your husband. If all attempts for reconciliation fail then go to court, but we remind you that a problem, which could be solved with a beautiful word, is no problem at all, so praise family and children and try your best to win their hearts. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling on the cessation of blood after (40) days from delivery, but later continued sporadically during two days of Ramadan?

Once postpartum bleeding (Nifas) ceases, and the woman is certain that it won`t reoccur, then she becomes ritually pure and so she is free to make Ghusl (purificatory bath), pray, and fast. If the bleeding reoccurs before fifteen days from its cessation, and before the end of (60) days after delivery, then the ruling on postpartum bleeding is effective, and her fasting and prayer are null and void, thus she must make up the fasting that she missed and not the prayer during those particular days.