Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(70): “Praying on an Electronic Prayer Mat which Shows the Number of Prostrations and Rakhas“

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(70): “Praying on an Electronic Prayer Mat which Shows the Number of Prostrations and Rakhas“

Date: 25/8/1424 AH corresponding to 21/10/2003 AD.

 

The Board received the following question:

What is the ruling of Islamic Sharia on praying on an electronic prayer mat shows the number of prostrations and Rakahs (unit of prayer)?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

The Board is of the view that a Muslim inflicted with repeated forgetfulness is allowed to use such a mat while praying solely in case of necessity.

However, if his forgetfulness wasn`t repeated, then it is disliked for him to use it because it affects his Kushu` (humble submissiveness) during prayer, and because prostration of forgetfulness is lawful. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ”When any one of you is in doubt about his prayer and he doesn`t know how much he has prayed, three or four (rak'ahs), he should cast aside his doubt and base his prayer on what he is sure of, then perform two prostrations before giving salutations. If he has prayed five rak'ahs, they will make his prayer an even number for him, and if he has prayed exactly four, they will be humiliation for the devil.” {Muslim}. And Allah Knows Best.

                            Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice                     

                         Sheikh Izzaldeen Attamimi               

                        Dr. Yousef Ali Ghyzaan                   

          Dr. Ahmad Hilayel             

 

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

What is the virtue of Laylat al-Qadr?

It is enough to know its great status that Allah revealed an entire surah about it—Surah Al-Qadr. Moreover, the Quran was first revealed on this night.
Allah says {what means}:
"We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!... This until the rise of morn!" [Al-Qadr/1-5]
The Prophet ﷺ taught us to observe I‘tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan, seeking Laylat al-Qadr. Whoever worships Allah and revives this night will receive the reward of worshiping for a thousand months—excluding Laylat al-Qadr itself.

Can Zakah or Zakat al-Fitr be given to a poor brother?

Yes, it is allowed to give Zakah or Zakat al-Fitr to a poor brother, as he is considered among the eligible recipients.

Is a person who forgot to make up missed fasts until the next Ramadan began required to pay expiatory compensation (Fidyah) alongside the makeup fast (Qada')?

 
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Whoever forgets to make up missed fasts of Ramadan (Qada') until the following Ramadan begins incurs no sin, pursuant to the statement of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): "Indeed, Allah has pardoned for my nation their mistakes, their forgetfulness, and that which they are coerced into doing." [Narrated by Ibn Majah, and Al-Bayhaqi in Al-Sunan Al-Kubra]
 
Furthermore, such an individual is not obligated to pay a expiatory compensation (Fidyah). It is stated in Bushra Al-Karim (p. 580)—one of the authoritative Shafi'i jurisprudential texts: "As for delaying it [the makeup fasts] due to a valid excuse—such as travel, breastfeeding, forgetfulness, or ignorance of the prohibition of delay (even for one living among scholars)—no Fidyah is required. This is because delaying performance during the actual month is permissible due to these excuses; hence, delaying makeup fasts is even more permissible, even if it continues for years."
And Allah Almighty knows best.

Does sacrificing one sheep avail for the entire household?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) is a communal Sunnah (Sunnah Kifayah) for members of the same household, provided that their financial maintenance is undertaken by a single provider. By "communal Sunnah," we mean that when one person performs it, the religious recommendation is fulfilled on behalf of the entire household, though the spiritual reward itself belongs uniquely to the one who offered it.
 
Therefore, if any member of the household performs the sacrifice—even if it is someone who is not legally responsible for the household's expenses, such as the wife or one of the children—the recommendation is fulfilled for everyone in that home. However, the reward does not automatically extend to the other members unless the person offering the sacrifice explicitly intends to share the reward with them—similar to how performing a funeral prayer (Janazah) fulfills the communal obligation for everyone, yet the specific reward is earned by those who actually prayed.
 
Additionally, a single sacrifice is sufficient for a man who is married to more than one wife. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.