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

What is the ruling on a Friday sermon in which the khaṭīb did not explicitly exhort the congregation to be conscious of Allah (taqwā) in both sermons, but sufficed with commanding them to obey Allah and refrain from disobeying Him?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
For the Friday sermon (khuṭbat al-Jumʿah) to be valid, certain essential pillars (arkān) must be fulfilled. Among these is the exhortation to be conscious of Allah (waṣiyyah bi-taqwā Allāh), which must be present in both sermons. Alongside this pillar, the praising of Allah (ḥamdallah) and the sending of blessings upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ are equally required.
Shaykh al-Islām Imām Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "These three are pillars in each of the two sermons, because each sermon is independent and separate from the other." [Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj,Vol.4/P.447]
It is not a condition that the exhortation be expressed in any specific wording, nor is it required that the word "taqwā" itself be used — such as saying "I exhort you to be conscious of Allah." Rather, this pillar is fulfilled by any expression that contains a command to obey Allah the Almighty and to abstain from what He has prohibited.
Imām al-Khaṭīb al-Sharbīnī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "The third pillar is the exhortation to taqwā... The specific wording of this exhortation is not required, according to the most correct view, because the purpose is admonition and the urging of obedience to Allah the Almighty. Therefore, any expression that conveys admonition suffices — whether long or short — such as: 'Obey Allah and be ever mindful of Him.'" [Mughnī al-Muḥtāj,Vol.1/P.550]
Accordingly, what the khaṭīb has done — by commanding obedience to Allah and forbidding disobedience to Him in both sermons — is valid and sufficient. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

If someone regularly fasts the six days of Shawwal, are they obligated to fast them every year?

A person is not obligated to fast the six days of Shawwal every year, even if they have made it a habit. However, someone who regularly performs a good deed should not abandon it as long as they are able.

What is the ruling on the ablution of one who washes his arms from the wrist to the elbows?

In the school of Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him), washing the arms (hands) is achieved by washing the arms completely, from the fingertips to the elbows. Washing only the palms at the beginning is insufficient, as washing them at the beginning is a Sunnah, but after washing the face, it becomes obligatory (fard). The person performing ablution must wash his palms along with the arms after washing the face. If he does not wash his palms, his ablution is invalid and not correct. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on brown discharge before the menstrual period? Is it considered part of menstruation (Hayd)?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Dusky discharge (Kudrah), reddish discharge (Humrah), and yellowish discharge (Sufrah) are all considered menstruation (Hayd) if they occur during the time of the menstrual cycle. If their duration exceeds a day and a night, and the period persists from the first sight of the discharge until the cessation of the menstrual blood—provided the total duration does not exceed fifteen days—then all of it is menstruation. However, if the duration exceeds fifteen days, then the discharge is not considered menstruation, but rather chronic irregular bleeding (Istihadah). And Allah the Exalted knows best.