Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No. (171): "Ruling on Organized Tawaroq Sale Carried out by some Islamic Banks"

Date Added : 27-10-2015

Resolution No. (171) (3/2012) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies: "Ruling on Organized Tawaroq Sale Carried out by some Islamic Banks"
Date:  29/4/1433 AH, corresponding to 22/3/2012 AD.

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

On the above given date the Board reviewed the following question

What is the ruling of Sharia on organized Tawaroq sale carried out by some Islamic banks?

In modern terms, in this type of sale the purchaser of a commodity in installments may re-sell it in cash amounts less than the purchase amount. The commodity can also be sold either by the purchaser`s deputy, or the financer.

Organized Tawaroq sale carried out by some Islamic banks is a form of evading usury (Riba), because the real purpose behind it is collecting a sum of money against an increase, where the bank carries out sham purchase of certain commodities, then sells them to the purchaser in installments. Afterwards, the bank re-sells them to a third party against a cash amount which is less than the first amount, then gives that cash amount to the purchaser in installments, but the bank obliges the latter to pay off the first amount.

In terms of Islamic Sharia, this is considered a usurious loan, even though it seems a form of Tawaroq sale from the outside.

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Messenger, his emigration will be for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration would be for what he emigrated for." [Agreed upon].

Therefore, it is a prohibited a contract, because it is a form of evading prohibited usury. Omar Bin Abdulaziz used to say about Tawaroq: "It is the brother of usury (Riba)." This is based on the following saying of the Prophet (PBUH): "Don`t you imitate the Jews who made the unlawful lawful by resorting to the meanest of tricks." [Ibtaal Al-Heyal/pp.47].

On its part, the Board is of the view that organized Tawaroq carried out by some Islamic banks is forbidden. This is confirmed by resolution no. (179) (5/19) of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy/2009.

The Board, advises Islamic banks and institutions to adhere to the Sharia approved forms of investment and financing, and to avoid suspicious tricks, in compliance with the legal rules that realize the objectives of Sharia. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board 
The Grand Mufti of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan :His Eminence , Abdull-Kareem Al-Khasawneh
Vice Chairman of the Iftaa` Board:  His Eminence Dr. Ahmad Hilayel
Dr.Yahia Al-Botosh/member
His Eminence :Sheikh Sa`id Al-Hijawi/member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/member
Dr. Wasif Al-Bakkri /member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Qhodat/Member
Dr.Mohammad Al-khalayleh/member
Prof. Abdulnasir Abulbasal/member
Dr.Mohammad Al-Zo`bi/member

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Summarized Fatawaa

We collect funds from mosques and other sources, saying: "For the poor, the needy, widows, orphans, and those who do not beg insistently." After paying the stipends of the families registered with the Zakat Committee, an amount exceeding 6,000 dinars remained. Is it permissible for me to save it for upcoming months when I may not be able to collect the stipends?

These funds are received by the committee as representatives of the zakat payers to deliver zakat to those entitled to it. It is well-known that delaying zakat while being able to pay it is not permissible. Imam Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Zakat must be paid immediately if one is able to do so, by the presence of wealth and the eligible categories." [Al-Minhaj] Therefore, the committee must distribute the zakat to the eligible recipients without installment payments or using it to purchase material goods for them, as the committee does not have authority over the poor to allocate it in this way. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the ruling on a vowed animal sacrifice?

A vowed animal sacrifice is to be distributed amongst the poor and needy, and neither the vow-maker, nor those supported by him are to eat from it.

Is it permissible to give Zakah (obligatory charity) to one`s poor sister, or brother?

It is permissible for one to give the Zakah to his poor sister, or brother if providing for them isn`t due on him, and the sister doesn`t receive sufficient provision from whomever that is due on. And Allah Knows Best.

Who is obligated to fast?

The one obligated to fast is the Muslim who is of sound mind, mature, capable of fasting, and free from obstacles such as menstruation or postpartum bleeding. And Allah Knows Best.