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"The Role of Religious Discourse in Curbing the Scourge of Drugs"
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 09-11-2022

"The Role of Religious Discourse in Curbing the Scourge of Drugs"

 

In cooperation with the Iftaa` Department, the Directorate of Public Security organized a symposium under the title "The Role of Religious Discourse in Curbing the Scourge of Drugs," Sunday, 6th of Nov. 2022. This symposium is a part of a series of education and awareness-raising activities launched by the Directorate to protect the community from the scourge of drugs.

Grand Mufti Sheikh AbdulKareem Al-Khasawneh, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh, Director of Public Security Maj. Gen. Obeidullah Al-Ma`aytah, the representative of the Chief Justice Dr. Sameeh Al-Zou`bi, and the representative of the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Father Elias Barakat attended this symposium, which was held in King Hussein Cultural Centre.

The symposium discussed the importance and the influential role of the religious discourse in disseminating knowledge, raising awareness on the dangers of drugs, uniting the community in combating the evils of drugs as well as traffickers and dealers who seek to make unlawful gains at the expense of the security of the community and the safety of its members.

The Grand Mufti said that Shariah came to preserve the five necessities: religion, life, intellect, lineage, and wealth, and warned that whatever harms these necessities is prohibited. The drugs is the most evil of menaces as it causes the loss of religion, destroys life, intellects, lineage and wealth. Therefore, it is our national and religious duty to combat this dangerous phenomenon.

On his part, the Minister of Awqaf stressed the importance of faith in fortifying the individual and motivating him/her to avoid whatever is in violation of Sharia and destroys the intellect. In addition, he pointed that the participatory roles played by the Ministry of Awqaf, through Friday sermons, religious lessons, preaching, and guidance, are a religious duty that aims to protect the community and strengthen its security in an integrated framework; especially when it comes to combating drugs.

On his part, the representative of the Chief Justice spoke about the devastating impact caused by drugs leading to the breakup of families and damaging community, which requires enhancing the religious discourse to combat the dangers of drugs and develop solutions to curb this obstacle.

On his part, the representative of the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox explained that the church is keen on guiding its subjects towards the ways of goodness and love and avoiding whatever deforms God`s creation on the physical, psychological, and spiritual levels. This includes raising awareness on the dangers of drugs, ways of prevention, and developing the minds of the youth to create healthy generations.

The Director of Iftaa and guidance in the Directorate of Public Security Colonel Dr. Samer Al-Hawamleh expressed keenness on cementing partnerships and bridges of cooperation with various religious institutions in Jordan in support for the efforts to curb the spread of drugs and other negative and crime phenomena. This goes beyond the traditional security measures employing preventive roles that help enhance community`s safety and stability.

The symposium included specialized discussions and research papers that shed light on the elements and foundations of the religious discourse guided to serve the community and keep abreast of its needs and phenomena; particularly the problem of drugs, which requires joining efforts and roles showing that it is harmful, prohibited and must be combatted.

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on making up missed fasts from many years?

A Muslim must make up for any missed fasts, as they are a debt owed to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The debt owed to Allah is more deserving of being fulfilled." [Narrated by Muslim]
Whoever has missed fasts must make them up as long as they are alive and capable of fasting.

Is it permissible to offer an Udhiyah on behalf of the deceased?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) on behalf of a deceased person is permissible. This is the official position of the Hanbali school (as stated in Kashshaf al-Qina’ by al-Bahuti,Vol.6/P.428) and was also upheld by the prominent Shafi'i scholar Al-’Abbadi (mentioned in Bidayat al-Muhtaj by Ibn Qadi Shuhbah,Vol. 4/P.358). It has likewise been narrated as a valid view among some Maliki and Hanafi scholars.
 
In fact, Imam Abu Dawud dedicated an entire chapter in his Sunan collection entitled, "Chapter on Sacrificing on Behalf of the Deceased." In it, he recorded a narration from Hanash, who said: "I saw 'Ali sacrificing two rams, so I asked him, 'What is this?' He replied, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded me to offer a sacrifice on his behalf, so I am sacrificing on his behalf.'"
 
Imam Abu Dawud also narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, this is from You, for You, and on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah (community). In the Name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest," and he then slaughtered the animal.
 
The textual evidence here lies in the fact that our Master, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), offered a sacrifice on behalf of his entire community—and it is well-established that his community includes those who have already passed away.
 
Furthermore, there is an abundance of sacred texts demonstrating that the rewards of righteous deeds reach the deceased. For instance, it is permissible to fast on behalf of a deceased person who passed away with missed obligatory fasts, and it is equally permissible to perform Hajj on their behalf, both of which are firmly established in authentic Hadiths. Therefore, if the reward of fasting (which is a purely physical act of worship) and Hajj (which is a joint physical and financial act of worship) can reach the deceased, then the reward of an Udhiyah reaches them with greater reason (by way of A Fortiori argument). This is because it is a purely financial act of worship, falling under the general category of charity (Sadaqah).
 
Additionally, scholars have reached a consensus (Ijma') that the rewards of charity reach the deceased, and since the Udhiyah is inherently an act of charity, it falls under the same ruling. Consequently, based on all the aforementioned evidence, we hold the view that offering a sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is entirely permissible. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

A man wishes to offer more than one uḍḥiyah (sacrificial offering), and intends by these sacrifices "on behalf of everyone whom Allah and His Messenger love." Is this intention valid?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The uḍḥiyah (sacrificial offering) is not valid with this intention, because if the sacrificial animal is from sheep or goats, it suffices for one person only; and if it is from cattle or camels, it suffices for seven persons.
However, one may sacrifice it on his own behalf, and then gift the equivalent of its reward to whomever he wishes.
Imam ar-Ramlī (raḥimahullāh) says: "Ash-Shāfi‘ī (raḍiyallāhu ‘anh) said: It is within the vastness of Allah's bounty, the Exalted, that He rewards the one giving charity as well. From this, the scholars of the madhhab said: it is recommended for a person to intend the charity on behalf of his parents, for example — for Allah, the Exalted, will reward them, without this diminishing his own reward in any way." He then relates, as the relied-upon position, the permissibility of saying: "O Allah, convey the reward of what I have recited specifically to so-and-so, and to the Muslims generally." Az-Zarkashī said: "For reward varies in degree — its highest form is what one designates specifically, and its lowest form is what one dedicates generally [alongside others]." [End of quote from Nihāyat al-Muḥtāj]. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

How can I love the prayer (Salah) and start praying?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Love for the prayer (Salah) comes when you realize that this world is fleeting and the Hereafter is everlasting. Your prayer is the righteous deed that will comfort you in your grave and be your salvation before Allah in the Hereafter. Do you not wish to attain tranquility in this life and Paradise in the next? Reflect upon your state and do not delay, for life does not wait. We ask Allah to grant us and you steadfastness (Thabat).