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

I have a brother who is harsh in his dealings [with me], and many problems have occurred between us, and I do not intend to reconcile with him. What is the ruling of Islamic Law on that?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is not permissible for a Muslim to abandon or boycott his fellow Muslim brother for more than three days. This is based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "It is not lawful for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three [days], meeting each other but one turns away and the other turns away, and the better of the two is the one who initiates the greeting (salam)." (Reported by al-Bukhari.)
A Muslim must strive to end such estrangement (hajr), so as not to fall under the prohibition mentioned in the hadith. If he takes the initiative to reconcile but the other party does not respond, then there is no sin upon him. We remind [ourselves] of the saying of Allah, the Exalted: "And let them pardon and overlook. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (An-Nur/22). And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

Is a person rewarded for refraining from all that breaks their fast when required to do so, and is it considered a valid fast?

If a person eats or drinks thinking that Fajr has not yet arrived, but then someone informs them that Fajr had already begun, they must refrain from eating for the rest of the day and make up the fast later.
If they observe the required restraint (imsak), they will be rewarded for obeying the command because fulfilling an obligation brings reward.
However, this is not considered a valid fast in terms of rulings. For example:
● It is not disliked (makruh) for them to use a miswak after noon.
● They are not encouraged to hasten the breaking of the fast at sunset.
● Other fasting-related rulings do not apply to them.

Is it a condition that one should offer two sacrifices for a male newborn?

It is desirable to offer two sheep for a male newborn, and one for a female newborn. Offering one sheep for the male newborn is also permissible as it observes the Prophet`s Sunnah in this regard.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on continuity (muwalah) in the ritual bath?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Continuity (muwālāh) means washing each part of the body immediately after the previous one, without leaving a gap long enough for the first part to dry before the second is washed. According to the Shāfiʿī school, continuity is a recommended act (sunnah) in both the ritual bath (ghusl) and ablution (wuḍūʾ) — it is not obligatory.
It is stated in Nihāyat al-Muḥtāj ilā Sharḥ al-Minhāj: "Likewise, continuity in the ritual bath is recommended, just as it is in ablution."
Accordingly, continuity in the ritual bath is a sunnah. And Allah the Almighty knows best.