Department`s Vision:

"To be a leading Islamic authority in the "Fatwa Industry" and legal research and to introduce them to individuals, governmental and non-governmental organizations at the local, regional and international levels.

 

Department`s Message:

"Delivering Allah`s Message and cementing the concept of moderate Islamic religious authority responsible for clarifying the rulings of Sharia and inviting people to act on them. This can be achieved through issuing Fatwas on general and specific matters, paying more attention to Fiqh encyclopedias and Islamic manuscripts, conducting studies and legal research and cementing the foundations of collective Ijtihad in cooperation with the scholars of the Muslim World; using different types of modern communication."

 

 

Department`s Core Values:

 

Dimension Value

Dedication at work to please Allah and honesty in delivering tasks.

Dedication and Honesty               

Cementing the concept of moderation in society when fulfilling the higher objectives of Sharia without exaggeration in religious matters or extremism.

Moderation                                    

Cementing the culture of teamwork and establishing teams capable of accomplishing the vision, message and objectives of the Fatwa Dept.

Institutional Work                           

Directness in dealing with society and shouldering responsibility.

Transparency and Responsibility                 

Applying the concepts of distinction on performance elements at the Dept. through dedicated work to achieve the best and most accurate of outcomes. 

Distinction                                             

Ongoing development of the Dept. and staff to provide the best service in the "Fatwa Industry" and legal research.

Ongoing Development                         

 

 

Key Institutional Objectives of the Department: 

In accordance with article (3) of the Iftaa` Law/2006, the objectives of the General Fatwa Department are as follows:

 

1. Supervising and organizing of Fatwa affairs in the Kingdom.

 

2. Issuing Fatwas on general and specific matters in accordance with the provisions of this law.

 

3. Preparing of the required research papers and Islamic studies on important matters and emerging issues.

 

4. Producing a periodic specialist academic journal concerned with the publication of reviewed academic research papers in Shari'ah and Islamic sciences and related fields.

 

5. Cooperating with scholars of Islamic law in the Kingdom and outside it as regards Fatwa affairs.

 

6. Offering opinions and advice in matters presented to it by state agencies.

 

 

Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for a woman to wear underwear while performing Umrah?

Yes, it is permissible for a woman to wear underwear while performing Umrah. This is because she should keep her regular clothes that cover all her body while being in a state of Ihram (ritual consecration) for Hajj, or Umrah. However, she should uncover her face and hands, but it is permissible for her to let her head-covering garment drape from her head down over her face when non-Mahram (i.e., marriageable) men pass by her. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the ruling on praying behind a disliked Imam?

 

 
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is mildly disliked (Makruh Tanzihan) for a man—other than the permanent designated Imam (Imam Ratib)—to lead people in prayer if the majority of them dislike him due to a religiously blameworthy reason (Amr Madhmum Shar‘an), such as associating with open sinners (Fussaq), for example. As for the followers who dislike him, the prayer behind him is not disliked for them. However, if less than the majority dislike him, or if the majority dislike him for a reason that is not religiously blameworthy, then his leading the prayer is not disliked. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on Zakat al-Fitr?

Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim for themselves and for those they are financially responsible for, provided they possess wealth that is surplus to their and their family's needs on the night and day of Eid.
Ibn Umar reported: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory—one sa‘ (measure) of dates or one sa‘ of barley—upon every Muslim, whether slave or free, male or female, young or old." [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
Its estimated amount is approximately 2,500 grams of wheat or rice, and the General Iftaa` Department issues an annual ruling specifying its monetary value.

Can someone who begins a voluntary fast break it?

It is preferable for someone who begins an act of worship not to break it.
Allah the Exalted has said {what means}: "and let not your [good] deeds come to nought!" [Muhammad/33].
However, if a person starts a voluntary fast (nafl) and needs to break it, they are going against what is preferable, but there is no sin upon them.