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Statement regarding the Templeton Award
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 19-06-2023

Statement regarding the Templeton Award

 

Statement regarding His Majesty King Abdullah II`s Winning of the Templeton Award

 

The General Iftaa` Department extends its warmest congratulations to His Majesty King Abdullah Ibn Al Hussein, the Jordanian people and the Arab and Islamic nation over His Majesty's winning of the Templeton World Award. This Award comes in recognition of His Majesty's efforts in bringing about inter-faith harmony, protecting Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and safeguarding religious freedoms.

 

This Award reflects the West’s appreciation and respect for His Majesty’s efforts in accomplishing harmony between Muslims themselves and between Islam and other religions, which reflects the royal intellectual vision that rests on love, peace and harmony amongst all people. His Majesty launched a number of initiatives enhancing the unity of the Muslims, which is a key purpose of Sharia. One of these was "The Amman Message", (9th of November, 2004). This Message paved the road for recognizing Islamic Schools of Thought, called for establishing dialogue and Muslim`s accepting each other and cooperating amongst themselves, rejecting the approach of tagging Muslims with disbelief (Takfir) and shunning them out. The aim is to achieve harmony between fellow Muslims and followers of Islam.

In addition, the initiative “A Common Word” was launched from Amman in 2007 under the patronage of The Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought. It called for peace and coexistence between Muslims and Christians as well as establishing a common platform that rests on love of God, love of neighbor. Under this initiative, periodical meetings are held to activate Muslim-Christian dialogue to achieve harmony between the members of society of different sects and beliefs. 

 

On October 20, 2010, the United Nations adopted the (Interfaith Harmony Week) initiative presented by His Majesty the King, may Allah protect him, so that the first week of February becomes the Interfaith Harmony Week. The aim of this initiative is to provide a focal point through which all individuals of good intentions realize that the common values that they believe in outweigh the points of disagreement, thus forming a strong source of peace and harmony among all people of different ideas and orientations.

His Majesty's winning this Award constitutes respect for the moderate path that Jordan adopts following in the footsteps of His Majesty the King. We call on everyone to follow this approach derived from the verse in which Allah says {what means}: "Invite to your Lord's Way with wisdom and good advice, and debate with them in the most dignified manner."

 

We ask Allah to protect Jordan and the rest of the Muslim countries and that peace and stability prevail all over the world.

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on performing voluntary (nafl) prayer during the time of istiwā' (the sun's zenith) on the day of Jumu‘ah (Friday), and is this ruling specific to someone who has come to the mosque to perform the Jumu‘ah prayer?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is permissible to perform voluntary (nafl) prayer during the time of istiwā' (the sun's zenith, i.e., its highest point before noon) on the day of Jumu‘ah (Friday) — whether for someone who is attending the Friday prayer or someone who is not, and whether they are among the people obligated to attend it or not.
It is stated in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.1/P.310): "The more correct position (al-aṣaḥḥ) is that prayer is permissible during this time without restriction — regardless of whether the person will be attending the Jumu‘ah prayer or not." And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the age of the Aqiqa or the Udhiyah?

 
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The minimum age for a sacrificial animal (Udhiyah) and the birth sacrifice (Aqiqa) is as follows:
 
Camels: Five years old, entering their sixth year.
 
Cattle and Goats: Two years old, entering their third year.
 
Sheep: One year old, entering their second year; however, it is permissible for a sheep to be six months old provided it is large in size and plump.
 
And Allah the Exalted knows best.

Can I start fasting based on the moon sighting of another country?

You must follow the moon sighting of the country you are in.

Who is responsible for performing the aqiqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The one upon whom the 'aqīqah is incumbent is whoever is obligated to financially maintain the newborn — whether the father, paternal grandfather, or mother. It is to be performed from their own wealth, not from the wealth of the newborn child.
As for one upon whom the financial maintenance of the newborn is not obligatory, they may not perform the 'aqīqah except with the permission of the one upon whom it is obligatory — namely, the father. And Allah Almighty knows best.