Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(326): "Sighting the Crescent of Ramadan, 1446 AH"

Date Added : 03-03-2025

Resolution No.(326) (1/2025) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"Sighting the Crescent of Ramadan, 1446 AH"
Date: (29/ Sha`ban/1446 AH), corresponding to (28/2/2025 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 second meeting held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies reviewed sighting the crescent of Ramadan for this year (1446 AH) 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): "Ramadan 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." [Al-Bukhari].
In compliance with the texts of Sharia, the Iftaa` Board convened on Sunday evening (29th of Sha`ban, 1446 AH, corresponding to 28/2/2025) 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, Saturday, (1/3/2025) is the first day of the holy month of Ramadan for this blessed year, 1446 AH.                                                                                                                                                              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,
Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Prof. Mahmood Al-Sartawi/ Member
Dr. Zaid Al-Kilani/ Member
Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi/ Member
Dr. Hasan Shakhatreh/ Member
Judge Fares Foraihat/ Member
Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodat/ Member
Dr. Amjad Rasheed/ Member
Prof. Waleed Al-Shaweesh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on performing the Witr prayer as a single rak`ah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to perform the Witr prayer as a single unit (rak‘ah). It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that a man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about the night prayer, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied: 'The night prayer is offered two by two (mathna mathna). If one of you fears the approach of dawn, let him pray a single rak‘ah to make what he has prayed odd-numbered (Witr) for him.' (Related by al-Bukhari & Muslim)). However, limiting the prayer to only one rak‘ah is considered 'contrary to the preferred way' (Khilaf al-Awla).
 
It is stated in Al-Minhaj al-Qawim Sharh al-Muqaddimah al-Hadramiyyah (p. 137): 'The minimum of Witr is one rak‘ah, but limiting it to that is contrary to what is best.'
 
The most complete form of Witr is eleven units, while the minimum level of 'perfection' is three units. It is stated in ‘Umdat al-Salik (p. 60): 'The minimum of Witr is one rak‘ah, and its maximum is eleven, performing the taslim (salutation) after every two units. The lowest level of perfection is three units with two separate taslims (meaning 2+1).' And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What are the categories of the livestock permissible for Udhiyah?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
An Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) is only valid if it is selected from Al-An'am (livestock), which includes: camels, cattle, and sheep or goats—whether male or female, and even if castrated. Allah Almighty says {what means}: "And for all religion We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice] that they may mention the name of Allah over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] livestock." (Al-Hajj/ 34)
 
In terms of preference, camels are considered the best choice, followed by cattle, then sheep, and finally goats.
A single sheep or goat is valid as a sacrifice on behalf of one person. However, a single camel or cow can be shared by up to seven people. This is based on the narration of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: "In the year of Al-Hudaybiyah, we sacrificed along with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) a camel on behalf of seven people, and a cow on behalf of seven people." (Narrated by Muslim)
 
(Note: The term "Badanah" used in the original Arabic text specifically refers to a camel in this context). And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

Is it a condition for the mosque where I‘tikaf is performed to hold Jumu‘ah prayers?

No, it is not a condition for the mosque where I‘tikaf is performed to have Jumu‘ah prayers. However, if a person vows to perform continuous I‘tikaf, and Jumu‘ah occurs within that period, then they must observe I‘tikaf in a mosque where Jumu‘ah is held so that they do not break their continuity by leaving for Friday prayer.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on participating in the prize draws (raffles) that commercial stores hold for their customers?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
There is no objection to participating in the prize draws (raffles) that commercial stores hold for their customers, provided that the buyer's intention in purchasing is not merely to enter the competition without any need for what is bought — rather, the purchase must be genuinely intended for the item itself, and one must not pay more than the item's fair market price. This is because paying an amount above the market price would effectively be paying a fee to enter the prize draw, which would render it a form of gambling (qimār).
These prizes are, in essence, gifts that businesses offer through a random drawing (qur'ah) to those who purchase from them, as a means of encouraging sales, without the customer bearing any additional monetary cost for participation. So long as the aforementioned conditions are met, there is no objection to benefiting from the prize offered by the store, as it is considered a lawful prize from the viewpoint of Islamic Law.
It is stated in the resolutions of the "Jordanian Iftaa' Board" (Resolution No. 47), in the context of outlining the conditions for permissible prizes: "The price of the ticket [or item purchased] for the sake of the prize must not exceed its original price, so that there is no payment of money in exchange for participation in the draw." And Allah, the Most High, knows best.