Resolution No.(247)(16/2017) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"Establishing a Private Investment on Endowed Land"
Date: 2/Rabi` Al-Thani/1439, corresponding to 21/11/2017.
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 his family and companions.
During its 13th session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the question sent from His Excellency the General Manager of Awqaf Properties Investment Fund, and reads as follows:
We would like to bring to Your Grace`s attention that the Ministry of Awqaf owns the endowed lands (175,206,226) located in Irbid, and estimated at (3355 square kilometers). They were endowed in 1984 in exchange for a piece of land, given to Irbid`s Greater Municipality, to be used as a graveyard. In the same year, the afore pieces were allocated for building a Masjid and an Islamic center, as determined by the resolution of the Awqaf Board and the approval of the Municipality. However, an investor has requested establishing a private investment on that land along with building the Masjid and the Islamic center from his own pocket. What`s the ruling of Sharia in this case, knowing that there is already a Masjid which is only 270 meters away from that land.
After deliberating, the Board arrived at the following decision:
If the purpose for which the land was endowed in the first place was achieved, there is no harm in investing the rest of that land for the benefit of the Waqf/endowment. And Allah Knows Best.
Chairman of Iftaa` Board,
Grand Mufti of Jordan,
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh
Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh, Member
Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaz, 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-Zo`bi, Member