Articles

Enemies Tarnished the Pure Image of Islam
Author : The Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies
Date Added : 11-05-2023

Enemies Tarnished the Pure Image of Islam

 

Islam is a universal divine religion sent by Almighty Allah through Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) as mercy to all creatures, and to save humanity from going astray. He (PBUH) managed to deliver the magnanimous message of Islam through wisdom and fair preaching following the command of Allah Who said {What means}: "God commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition." {An-Nahl, 90}.

Islam has played its role in establishing noble human values spreading justice, tolerance and mercy. Similarly, Muslims played their role in building human civilization throughout history. However, nowadays, there is a vicious attack on Islam, by enemies: foreign and domestic, aiming to break Islam and tarnish its pure image. 

Enemies used the extremist groups to portray Islam as a foe and persisted in distorting its image and abusing its Prophet (PBUH). Jordan was the first to warn against this evil act through launching the Message of Amman, the Message of the magnanimous Islam, in 2004, and condemned terrorism regardless of its source and form manifested in taking innocent lives and intimidating peaceful people. 

If some has gone astray, this doesn`t justify pinning terrorism and extremism on Islam and Muslims. It is the duty of the scholars and thinkers to explain to the people the true nature of Islam and its great principles, refute the suspicious accusations of the extremists and expose the true nature of extremism and methods of tackling wi it. This is since a true Muslim is one who invites to the way of Allah with wisdom and fair preaching. Allah says {what means}: "Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." {An-Nahl, 125}.

The Iftaa` Council emphasizes a set of constants that can`t be tampered with no matter what the case may be. The most important of these is the inviolability of people`s lives, property and honor since preserving these is amongst the higher objectives of Islamic Law. This is in addition to maintaining social peace and security. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Whosoever begins the day feeling family security and good health; and possessing provision for his day is as though he possessed the whole world." Another constant is highlighting the luminous image of moderate Islam that is far from all manifestations of terrorism, extremism and transgression.

For this, we call on all citizens to unite against calls for violence, extremism; bloodshed and avoid circulating malicious rumors without considering the repercussions and evils resulting from that, which could destroy society.

We, Iftaa` Council, call on media to portray the correct image of Islam, not follow rumors, and be keen on solidifying the correct values of Islam. Media shoulders a huge responsibility and will be called to account for that and it is also the conscience of the nation and society. Therefore, journalists must depict the truth without any perversion, falsification or exaggeration since a word is a dangerous and double-edged weapon. If the word is true and honest then it is good and constructive. If false and corrupt, it leads to evil and destruction.

We ask Allah to bless our beloved country, Jordan. Indeed, He is close and answers the prayer of the suppliant. And all perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.  

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on discharging one's zakāh obligation through the provision of a specific benefit (manfa‘ah) — such as performing a surgical operation for a patient, or providing housing to a tenant, and counting the value of this service as zakāh?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is obligatory to pay zakāh from the actual asset (‘ayn al-māl) upon which zakāh is due, except in the case of zakāh on trade goods ('urūḍ at-tijārah), which is paid based on their monetary value. In all cases, zakāh must be given in the form of tamlīk (a full transfer of ownership), based on the words of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic (which mean): "Zakāh expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy, and for those employed to collect [zakāh], and for bringing hearts together [for Islam], and for freeing captives [or slaves], and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allah, and for the [stranded] traveler — an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise" [at-Tawbah/60]. The letter "lām" (لِ) in this verse — as in "lil-fuqarā'" ("for the poor") — indicates possession/ownership (lām al-milk).
It is not permissible to fulfill one's zakāh obligation by providing a benefit or service (manfa‘ah) — such as housing, education, or medical treatment — in place of the zakāh itself. This is because zakāh must be paid as wealth (māl) that is transferred into the ownership of the poor recipient, whereas such services are intangible benefits that are not, in themselves, capable of being formally transferred in ownership (ghayr qābilah lit-tamlīk). And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

Which takes precedence: the 'aqīqah or the uḍḥiyyah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The 'aqīqah is an act of worship through which a servant draws closer to Allah the Almighty in gratitude for the blessing of a newborn child. It is a confirmed Sunnah for those who are financially capable, and Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can bear.
However, the uḍḥiyyah takes precedence, as it is a confirmed Sunnah established from the Prophet ﷺ through stronger and more numerous narrations — indeed, the Ḥanafī scholars hold it to be obligatory. Furthermore, its time is narrow and limited, expiring with the passing of the days of Eid, whereas the 'aqīqah may be delayed until one becomes financially capable of performing it.
And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the correct point at which to raise the hands when standing up for the third rak‘ah (after the middle tashahhud)?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Raising the hands while saying the takbīr [when rising for the third rak‘ah] is a recommended sunnah, and omitting it does not affect the validity of the prayer. The proper time for this is after rising from the middle tashahhud, once one has fully stood up.
It is stated in I‘ānat aṭ-Ṭālibīn (Vol.1/P.158): "His statement, 'and rising from the first tashahhud' — meaning, this manner [of raising the hands] is also a sunnah when he rises from the first tashahhud, that is, when he stands upright from it.
Consider [the question]: when precisely does the raising of the hands begin? Is it at the very start of rising from the first tashahhud, or after he has reached the minimum position of rukū‘ [i.e., once fully upright]? The apparent, [correct] view is the latter — even though the outward wording [of the text] might suggest the former — because at the very start of his rising, he is still relying on both hands [to push himself up, and therefore cannot yet raise them]."
It is stated in ‘Umdat as-Sālik (p. 53): "If his prayer extends beyond two rak‘ahs, he sits after them in the iftirāsh position, recites the tashahhud, and sends blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ alone, without [mentioning] his family [at this point]. He then stands while saying the takbīr, supporting himself with his hands; and once he has stood upright, he raises them level with his shoulders." And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What are the conditions for the validity of the slaughtering process according to Sharia?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Regarding the Sharia-mandated conditions for the validity of the slaughtering process (Adh-Dhabh), they are as follows:
 
The Identity of the Slaughterer: The person performing the slaughter must be either a Muslim or from the People of the Book (Christian or Jewish).
 
The Required Cuts: Both the trachea (windpipe/breathing passage) and the esophagus (food passage) must be completely severed.
 
Stability of Life: The animal must possess stable life at the start of the slaughtering process. This is identified by clear signs, such as vigorous movement or the forceful gushing of blood after the throat and esophagus are cut.
 
The Tool of Slaughter: The tool used must be sharp, capable of cutting or piercing by its edge and not by its sheer weight or blunt force.
 
And Allah the Almighty knows best.