Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(329): "Ruling on Exchanging a Waqf "

Date Added : 09-07-2025

Resolution No.(329) (5/2025) "Ruling on Exchanging a Waqf "

Date (27/Dhul-Hijjah/1446 AH), corresponding to (23/6/2025 CE)

 

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.

In its fourth session held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa, Research and Islamic Studies considered the letter sent from His Excellency the Minister of Awqaf (Endowments), Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites, Dr. Muhammad Al-Khalayleh. The letter stated: "Attached herewith is a copy of the Awqaf Board`s Resolution No. (4/3/205) (20/3/2025 CE), regarding the request submitted by the heirs of M. H. to exchange the roof of the fuel station on which the Abu Al-Anbiya' Mosque (peace be upon him) is built, located on plot number (115), basin number (45) of Al-Humraniya lands in Amman, with plot number (972), basin number (44) of Umm Suwaywinah lands in Amman. This is due to reasons related to the disapproval of the relevant authorities to renew the license for the station, which is in violation of the regulations, and the mosque's location on top of the station's fuel tanks. I request a clarification of the Sharia opinion regarding the issuance of a document for exchanging the Waqf."

After research, study, and deliberation, the Board resolved the following:

The established principle among jurists is that a Waqf (An endowed property) may not be sold, gifted, or exchanged, because it has passed out of the ownership of the endower, and thus he is not permitted to dispose of it in any way that would nullify its benefit.

Furthermore, if land is endowed and becomes a mosque, thereby acquiring the status of a mosque (Masjidiyyah), it is not permissible to exchange it under any circumstances according to the majority of jurists, due to the permanence of its mosque status. However, some jurists permitted the exchange of a mosque if its intended benefits become impaired, such as it becoming too small for its community and impossible to expand, or due to the dilapidation of the area or neighborhood where it is located.

Accordingly, the Board, after careful consideration, views that, in order to achieve the benefit of the Waqf and the public interest, and to avert the harm and great danger to worshippers and frequenters of the mosque due to its location above a fuel station – a situation that could effectively negate its benefit – there is no sin in exchanging the Waqf. 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 Ibrahim Al-Kilani/ Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi/ Member

Dr. Hasan Makhatreh/ Member

Judge Fares Foraihat/ Member

Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodat/ Member

Prof. Amjad Rasheed/ Member

Dr. Waleed Al-Shaweesh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Younis Al-Zou`bi/ Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the Islamic ruling on adoption, and what is the legal window through which a person can be kind to an orphan girl, attend to her needs and raise her as his own?

Kindness to an orphan entails a great reward from Allah, but adoption is prohibited and invalid. Therefore, it is permissible for the aforementioned person (for example) to make his brother`s wife breastfeed that girl so that he becomes her uncle by suckling provided that he informs her that she isn`t his biological daughter.

Is Zakah due on the orphan`s money?

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

I`m a pious Muslim woman, but my husband isn`t, what should I do?

You should exercise patience, make supplication that Allah guides him to the straight path, and keep advising him kindly.

Is it permissible for a teacher to have one of the school meals originally allocated to students considering that there is plenty of them and they may spoil?

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.
The Ministry of Education has the final say in this regard because it isn`t allowed to take from public funds save with the permission of the body in charge of spending from it. In fact, we have sent a letter to the Ministry concerning this issue and we are waiting for an answer. However, to prevent spoilage of the meals, they can be sold and the price kept in favor of the students or distributed amongst the students themselves. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.