Articles

Statement on the Cultural and Scientific Events
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 18-06-2023

Statement on the Cultural and Scientific Events

 

The General Iftaa` Department keeps track of cultural and scientific events in various fields, especially Sharia because thought, culture and science are at the center of our Arab-Islamic culture, which has paved the way for guiding minds and ordered people to reflect upon this universe. Allah the Almighty says {what means}: "Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition." {Az-Zumar, 9}. In addition, the first verse revealed to Mohammad was: " Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created-" {Al-Alaq, 1}. This indicates Islam's interest in science, thought and the enlightening minds and hearts.

The Iftaa` Department issued many Fatwas urging Jordanians to pay more attention to mental sciences and raising their level as far as the  scientific field is concerned. It also showed that Islam respects civilized dialogue based on wisdom and beautiful preaching. Allah the Almighty 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" {An-Nahil, 125}. Islam also provided ample space for dialogue and constructive criticism, but all of this is conditional on applying the etiquette of civilized disagreement, showing respect to the religious feelings of others, and not tampering with sanctities that enjoy the religious respect of the people. This is since intellectual renewal does not mean challenging beliefs, showing contempt for religions, and questioning them.

 

The Department confirms that this blessed country of ours led by the wise Hashemite leadership, which took the responsibility of showing the luminous image of Islam through "The Amman Message" and respecting faiths through "Kalima Sawa`", is distinguished with authentic culture and constitutional values derived from Islam and represent moderation and rejecting terrorism and extremism. It is not acceptable, no matter what the case maybe, to abuse religions or undermine religious values and constants. We are of the view that holding conferences and seminars that abuse sanctities and undermine intellectual and societal security doesn`t express the acceptable freedom of speech. Rather, this is transgression against others and their values.

 

The Department warns against trials and tribulations and activities that address religious constants for they could be interpreted, or misunderstood in a manner that could undermine the social fabric.

 

May Allah protect Jordan and its Hashemite leadership and may peace and stability prevail in Jordan and other Muslim countries.

Article Number [ Previous | Next ]

Read for Author




Comments


Captcha


Warning: this window is not dedicated to receive religious questions, but to comment on topics published for the benefit of the site administrators—and not for publication. We are pleased to receive religious questions in the section "Send Your Question". So we apologize to readers for not answering any questions through this window of "Comments" for the sake of work organization. Thank you.




Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on one who died owing debts and left no wealth? Is it obligatory upon the heirs to settle these debts?

 

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
The general rule is that if a person dies owing rights to other people, such as debts, these are settled from his estate, if he left any wealth, before the estate is divided. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The believer's soul is suspended by his debt until it is settled for him.” Graded ḥasan by al-Tirmidhī. Repayment of debts takes precedence over the heirs’ right to inheritance.
If the deceased left no estate, or left wealth that was insufficient to cover his debts, it is not obligatory for the heirs to pay from their own wealth, but it is recommended for them to do so, because the deceased’s dhimmah (legal liability) remains occupied by the debt. It is reported in some narrations that he remains held in suspension until his debt is paid, and it is not part of filial righteousness for a child to leave his father’s dhimmah burdened with debt.
All of the children may contribute to settling the debt on behalf of their father and cooperate in doing so, even in installments, according to their ability. And Allah Almighty knows best.

My brother works in a conventional bank and gave me one of the gifts distributed to bank employees — what is the ruling on accepting it?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
There is no objection to accepting such gifts, because the physical gift itself does not carry any inherent prohibition — unlike stolen property. Sin does not transfer or extend to the one who receives the gift, for Allah the Almighty says {what means}: "And no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another." [Al-Anʿām/164]
The evidence for this is that the Prophet ﷺ himself ate from the food of the Jews, conducted transactions with them, and purchased from them — and it is well known that their wealth was intermingled with ribā. Similarly, the wealth of conventional ribā-based banks is a mixture of the lawful and the unlawful.
Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "It is not forbidden to transact with one whose wealth is predominantly unlawful, nor to eat from it — as al-Nawawī affirmed in al-Majmūʿ." [Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj, Vol. 9/P.389] And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible to slaughter a single sheep with the combined intention of both the uḍḥiyyah and the 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
According to Shaykh al-Islām Imam Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī, it is not permissible to combine the intention of the uḍḥiyyah and the 'aqīqah in a single animal, as each of the two has a distinct and separate cause that differs from the other.
However, Shaykh al-Islām Imam al-Ramlī permitted the combining of both intentions in a single animal — and this position offers a degree of latitude and ease. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on a second congregation [being formed] in the mosque?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is disliked to deliberately seek to establish a second congregation in a mosque that is not one frequented by transient passersby — such as a neighborhood mosque with a regular, appointed imam — unless permission is granted by that imam, since doing so implies criticism and an affront to him. However, if the mosque is one frequented by transient passersby — such as mosques located in marketplaces — then a second or even third congregation is permissible there, whether or not it has a regular, appointed imam, and whether or not that imam gives his permission. This is because such mosques experience a continuous flow of people coming and going, so no implication of criticism toward the imam is perceived in the formation of multiple congregations in that setting. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.