Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Prohibiting the removal of the uteri of challenged girls

Date Added : 05-10-2015

Resolution No. (194) (2/2014) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies

Date: (7/ Rabia 1st./ 1435 AH)  corresponding to(9/1/2014  AD)

 Prohibiting the  removal of the uteri of challenged girls, and society`s responsibility towards them

 

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, Prophet  Muhammad and  upon  all his family and companions:

The Iftaa` Board, in its 11th session held on Thursday (7 /Rabia1st./ 1435AH) corresponding to  (9/1/2014AD), reviewed  the issue of Sharia ruling on removing  the uteri of mentally challenged girls  under the pretext that such procedure relieves them from health problems and maintains  their personal hygiene. Therefore, the Board has considered  the views of  specialized educators and physicians, and consequently realized the negative effects of such operations. After careful review  and deliberation, it decided the following:

It is only  permissible to remove an organ of Allah`s ,The Almighty`s, creation  in cases that are treated with such procedure. As regards mentally and physically challenged girls, the Board sees no excuse allowing such operations which involve interfering with Allah`s creation, surgical risks,  and negative effects which facilitate abuse and harm  to those girls.

It is incumbent upon the parents and guardians  to take care of their challenged daughters   and keep them out of harm’s way. Societies are also responsible for  protecting  them against all kinds of exploitation and enacting laws necessary to ensure that  end since it is their right to be taken care of, so that the sin of those in charge of them is not multiplied once these girls are being abused. This requires all members of society to exercise patience with such  group  of people and seek reward from Allah for facilitating their life for the Prophet(PBUH) said in this regard: “Everyone of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody..”{Al-Bukhari and Muslim}.And Allah knows best.


Chairman of the Iftaa` Board:

The Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Sheikh Abdul Karim Al-Khasawneh

Vice Chairman of Iftaa` Board, Prof. Ahmed Helayel

Prof. Hayil Abdul Hafeez/member

Prof. Abdul Razaq Abu Al-Basal/member

His Eminence Shaykh Sa'id Hijjawi/member

Dr. Yahya Al-Btoush/ member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Qudah/member

Dr. Mohammed Al-Khalayleh/member

Dr. Wasif Al-Bakri/ member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zoubi/ member

Executive secretary of the Iftaa Board: Dr. Jamil Abu Sarah

 

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

When does the time for the 'aqīqah lapse and pass?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
If the guardian was financially capable (mūsir) during the majority of the postnatal period (nifās) — which is sixty days — then the obligation of the 'aqīqah remains upon him until the child reaches the age of maturity (bulūgh). Once the child reaches maturity, the demand falls away from the father and those like him. At that point, it becomes Sunnah for the child himself to perform the 'aqīqah on his own behalf.
However, if the guardian was financially incapable (mu'sir) during the postnatal period, and then became financially capable after its expiry — that is, after sixty days — the 'aqīqah is no longer required of him. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on offering a sheep as a sacrifice (Udhiyah) if its fat-tail is sound, except that when it was young, the tip of its fat-tail was cut so that it would grow larger? And what is the ruling in case of doubt regarding the amount that was cut?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Cutting a minor, insignificant portion from the tip of an animal's fat-tail (al-alyah) to encourage it to grow larger is not considered a defect, and it does not prevent the animal from being valid for sacrifice (Udhiyah).
 
It is stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol.9/P.352): "There is some scholarly deliberation regarding the common practice of cutting the tip of the fat-tail so that it grows larger. It could potentially be likened to a partial cut of the ear—supported by the jurists' general rule: 'even if it is a small amount.' On the other hand, if it is an exceptionally minor cut, it might have no effect on validity. This is explicitly clarified by the juristic exception to the general rule, which states that cutting a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm. This latter view is more well-founded.
 
Furthermore, I found that some scholars investigated this matter and concluded: 'It should not affect validity if a custom-sanctioned portion of its fat-tail is removed during its youth to make it grow larger and look better, just as castrating a male animal causes no harm.' However, applying this unconditionally contradicts the established texts of the jurists, as understood from what I have laid out; thus, the restriction I specified is what must be relied upon."
 
Similarly, it is mentioned in Nihayat al-Muhtaj (8/135): "If a small piece is cut from the fat-tail to help it grow larger, the most well-founded view is that the sacrifice remains valid, as was given in a formal legal verdict (Fatwa) by my father [Shihab al-Din al-Ramli], may Allah be pleased with him. This is proven by the jurists' maxim: 'The loss of a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm.'"
 
In cases where there is doubt as to whether the portion cut was large or small, the animal is still deemed valid for sacrifice. It is noted in Hashiyat al-Shubramallisi ‘ala Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol.8/P.135):
 
"This matter requires careful consideration, but the closer and more correct view is that it is valid. This is because soundness is the default state for the animal from which the piece was cut, and it aligns with what usually occurs—namely, that the part removed to help the fat-tail grow larger is naturally very small." And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

Who is responsible for performing the aqiqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
The one upon whom the 'aqīqah is incumbent is whoever is obligated to financially maintain the newborn — whether the father, paternal grandfather, or mother. It is to be performed from their own wealth, not from the wealth of the newborn child.
As for one upon whom the financial maintenance of the newborn is not obligatory, they may not perform the 'aqīqah except with the permission of the one upon whom it is obligatory — namely, the father. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it valid for the 'aqīqah to be performed using the newborn child's own wealth?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is not permissible for the guardian to perform the 'aqīqah using the newborn child's own wealth, because the 'aqīqah is a voluntary act of giving (tabarru'), and a guardian is prohibited from making voluntary expenditures from the child's wealth. Should he do so, he becomes financially liable for what he spent. And Allah Almighty knows best.