Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(321) "Sighting the Crescent of Ramadan, 1444 AH"

Date Added : 23-03-2023

Resolution No.(321) (2/2023) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Sighting the Crescent of Ramadan, 1444 AH"

Date: (29/ Sha`ban/1444 AH), corresponding to (22/3/2023 AD).

 

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

At its 3rd meeting held on the above date, the Board reviewed sighting the crescent of Ramadan for this year (1444AH) based on the astronomical calculations conducted by the Crescents Committee of the General Iftaa` Department.

 

After deliberations, the Board arrived at the following decision:

 

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

 

Allah, The Almighty, Says {What means}: "Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting" {Al-Baqarah/185}. Allah also Says {What means}: "They ask thee concerning the New Moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men, and for Pilgrimage" {Al-Baqarah/189}. Moreover, the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) says: "Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break it on sighting it." {Related by Bukhari}.

 

In compliance with the texts of Sharia, the Iftaa` Board convened on Wednesday evening (29th of Sha`ban, 1444 AH, corresponding to 22/3/2023) to sight the crescent of Ramadan (the new moon). Based on the findings of the Crescent Sighting Committee, which were harmonious with the astronomical calculations, at the General Iftaa` Department and other specialized authorities, it was ascertained to the Board that tomorrow, Thursday, (23/3/2023) is the first day of the holy month of Ramadan for this blessed year, 1444AH.

 

On this blessed occasion, the Board extends the warmest of congratulations to His Majesty King Abdullah the Second Ibn Al-Hussein, His Crown Prince, and the Hashemite Family, praying that Allah Protects His Majesty and Grants him good health.

 

The Board also extends its congratulations to the people of Jordan as well as the Arab and Muslim Nation. It also prays that Allah Makes it a month of peace, security, faith, goodness and piety. And may Allah Accept our fast and night prayers. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

 

 Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Sheikh Abdulkareem al-Khasawneh

Dr. Mohammad al-Khalayleh/ Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi/ Member

Prof. Amjad Rasheed/ Member

Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodat/ Member

Dr. Jamil Khatatbeh/ Member

Dr. Hasan Makhatreh/ Member

Judge Fareh Foraihat/ Member

Dr. Ahmad al-Hasanat/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Younis Al-Zou`bi/ Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is washing the private part after urinating (Istinjaa`) a condition, and is it done with water and soap, or with water only?

Istinjaa` is obligatory for removing impurity, and it can be done with toilet paper, or a stone, or water. It is preferable to do Istinjaa` first with paper, or stone, or the like, then to wash the private part with water until making sure that the impurity has been removed. Using soap is not a condition, but there is no harm in doing so provided that it is washed off with water. It is also permissible to use either water, or paper if impurity is removed by any.

What is the ruling on someone who possesses gold with the intention of saving/hoarding it, and owns nothing else — is he obligated to sell a portion of it in order to pay the zakāh due on it?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Zakāh becomes immediately obligatory on cash, and likewise on gold — that which is not designated for a woman's personal adornment— once both reach the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for zakah) and a full ḥawl (lunar year) has passed over them. It is not permissible to delay payment when it is genuinely possible to pay — meaning, when the wealth and the eligible recipients are both available. It is stated in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.2/p.129): "Zakāh is obligatory immediately once it becomes feasible to pay it, meaning when the wealth and the eligible recipients are both present."
The one paying zakāh must discharge the obligatory zakāh due on saved (hoarded) gold either from the gold itself, or from its equivalent monetary value, in the event that no other funds are available — since paying from the gold itself is the original default (al-aṣl). It becomes permissible to pay from other funds instead only because zakāh is built upon the principle of ease and leniency, as stated in Asnā al-Maṭālib (Vol.1/p.366): "When a full ḥawl has elapsed on wealth other than trade goods... zakāh attaches to the actual asset itself (al-‘ayn), and the poor effectively become partners in it — even, for example, [becoming partners] in camels through the value of a sheep [owed as zakāh on them]... Paying from other wealth is permitted only because zakāh is built upon the principle of ease and leniency."
Accordingly: the one paying zakāh must discharge it either from the actual saved gold itself, or by selling a portion of the gold equal to the amount of zakāh owed. He may also borrow money to pay the zakāh, or pay the zakāh in installments before the ḥawl is complete [as an advance payment]. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

Is it permissible for a person to give the Zakah (obligatory charity) to his daughter-in-law?

Yes, it is permissible for a person to give the Zakah to his daughter-in-law if she was poor, and none provided for particularly by whom are obliged to provide for her. And Allah Knows Best.

Is Zakah due on the orphan`s money?

Yes, Zakah is due on the money of the orphan.