Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(283): "Islamic Ruling on Washing the Person who Died from an Infectious Disease such as the one caused by Corona Virus"

Date Added : 02-06-2020

Resolution No.(283)(3/2020) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Islamic Ruling on Washing the Person who Died from an Infectious Disease such as the one caused by Corona Virus" 

Date: (24/Rajab/1441 AH), corresponding to (19/3/2020).

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. At its second meeting held on the above date, the Board reviewed the question about the ruling of Islam on washing the person who died from an infectious disease such as the one caused by the corona virus?

After careful consideration, the Board has taken the following decision:

Whoever died during a pandemic, it is hoped that Allah will grant him a reward similar to that of a martyr. This is attested to in the Hadith where the Prophet (PBUH) said: "None (among the believers) remains patient in a land in which plague has broken out and considers that nothing will befall him except what Allah Has Ordained for him, but that Allah Will Grant him a reward similar to that of a martyr." {Bukhari}.

In addition to hoping that Allah will grant him a reward similar to that of a martyr, in principle, the deceased person must be given ritual washing (Ghusl), shrouding with a piece of cloth (Kafan) and a funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah). This is provided that the necessary protective measures are put in place to make sure that the persons who do these (Ghusl, kafan and Salat al-Janazah) don`t get infected. In case protective measures couldn`t be taken, funeral and burial preparations must be done as much as possible, even if it be spraying the dead body with a hose and shrouding it with a piece of cloth. The evidence on this is the Sharia maxim which states: "The easy thing shall not be waived by the difficult thing." Moreover, Allah The Almighty Says {what means}: "Allah tasketh not a soul beyond its scope." {Al-Baqarah, 286}. As for the funeral prayer, it may be delivered by the smallest number of prayer performers, even if it be one person. We pray that Allah showers all the dead Muslims with His mercy. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

 

Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Abdulkareem al-Khasawneh

Dr. Mohammad al-khalayleh

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Dr. Majed al-Darawsheh, Member

Dr. Ahmad al-Hasanat, Member

Judge Khalid Woraikat, Member

Dr. Jamil Khatatbeh/Member

Dr. Amjad Rasheed/Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for a wife to leave her house without asking her husband?

It is impermissible for the wife to leave her house without asking her husband except for a sound reason.

What is the ruling on I‘tikaf in Ramadan?

I‘tikaf is Sunnah in Ramadan, and it is even more emphasized in the last ten nights, in the hope of witnessing Laylat al-Qadr.

What is the ruling on fasting only on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?

In voluntary fasting (nafl), it is disliked (makruh) to fast only on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
However:
● If one fasts a day before or after Friday, then that is permissible.
● The same applies to Saturday and Sunday—fasting them along with another day removes the dislike.
● Fasting all three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) together is not disliked.
If any of these days coincide with a recommended fasting day, such as Arafah or Ashura, then fasting it alone is not disliked.

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]