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Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(184): "Ruling on Using Impure Sludge as Fuel for Manufacturing Cement"

Date Added : 17-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(184)(17/2012) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Using  Impure Sludge as Fuel for Manufacturing Cement"

Date: 5/2/1434 AH, corresponding to 19/12/2012 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 its tenth session held on the above given date, the Board reviewed the question of the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, which reads as follows: "Sewage treatment plants produce-in addition to treated water- solids called "sludge", which should be gotten rid of, or reused as conditioned by the Jordan Standards. [Al-Khirbah As-Samrah] is one of the largest sewage treatment plants which has produced (200 tons) of sludge since 2007. As a result, substantial amounts of this substance have accumulated in that area. Therefore, there is a tendency to make use  of that substance in the best way possible in line with the following priorities: Burning it to produce cement, as this is the best option and the least expensive, or using it as manure, and the like. Could Your Grace be kind enough to consult the experienced scholars in order to clarify the ruling of Islamic Sharia on this issue, taking into consideration that using this sludge as fuel will relieve Jordan`s budget from (500, 000000) in the coming years.?"

After researching and deliberating, the Board decided the following:

The substance-sludge-produced by sewage treatment plants is impure; however, some scholars have permitted using impurity in such case since there is a dire need for it and it can be gotten rid of without causing harm to human beings, or to the environment.

After a representative from the Iftaa` Department has inspected  Al-Fohaise Cement Factory, it was found out that the sludge can be used as fuel where it is burnt at a high degree that reaches (1450 centigrade), and this massive heat breaks it down to iron atoms, lime, and similar raw materials attracted by the cement.

As a result, inceniration changes its nature and turns it into a pure substance, as is the opinion of the Hanafite School of Thought and one opinion of the Shafites. These scholars have stated: "If the nature of the impure substance has changed, the cause of impurity has ceased, or it has turned into a different substance in terms of  name and features, then this is enough to rule that it is has become pure, because the elements of impurity have vaefore". Therefore, there is no harm in utilizing  it in productive fields; especially if it leads to saving the aforesaid amount of money. And Allah Knows Best.

 

The Grand Mufti of Jordan / His Eminence Sheikh AbdulKareem al-Khasawneh

Prof. Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi / Member

Dr. Yahia al-Botoosh / Member

Sheikh Sae`id Hijjawi / Member

Dr. Wasif al-Bakhri / Member

Prof. Mohammad al-Qhodat / Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh / Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa / Member

Dr. Mohammad  al-Z`obi / Member

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for us to sever ties of kinship if our blood-relatives` gatherings/meetings involve acts of sin?

Observing kinship ties is obligatory, and paying your blood-relatives a visit causing their sinful acts to be hindered , then you should do so. However, if their sinful acts continue while you are at their gathering and they didn't respond positively, then observing kinship ties via telephone and the like will suffice in this case. And Allah Knows 

What is the expiation for perjury?

Perjury is forbidden and one of the major sins that require turning to Allah in repentance, seeking His forgiveness, giving back rights to whom they belong, or seeking their forgiveness, and expiating for that oath.

I`m a university student. While I was sitting for an exam, the professor caught my fellow student cheating. I heard him telling her to hide the dossier. After the exam, he asked me to testify that I saw her cheating although I heard him telling her to hide the dossier but didn`t see her cheating. What is the ruling of Sharia on this?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
It was narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said to a man: "Do you see the sun?" He replied: "Yes." He said: "Give witness in a similar case [which is as clear as the sun], or leave it." [Reported by Al-Baihaqhi in "Sho`ab Al-Eman" pp.10964]. Therefore, it is not permissible to testify about something that you haven`t actually seen. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

What is the Islamic ruling regarding a person finding buried treasure, whether gold or artifacts, and what is their share of it?

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