Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(77): “Ruling on Articles (14) & (21) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child“

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(77) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies: 

“Ruling on Articles (14) & (21) of  the Convention on the Rights of the Child“

Date: 27/4/1425 AH, corresponding to 16/6/2004 AD.

 

 

 

The Board has received the following question: 

Could you present articles (14) & (21) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child to the Board of Iftaa` so as to recommend any required amendment as a prelude to ratifying them in the workshop which will be held by the Ministry of Social Affairs under the patronage of her Majesty Queen Rania?

Answer: All success is due to Allah.

After reviewing article (14) which states the following:

1. States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

2. States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.

3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

The Board is of the view that this article contradicts with the rulings of Islamic Sharia for the following reasons:

1- The child shall not embrace the religion that he desires because he/she doesn`t have the capacity or lacks it; therefore, he/she is incapable to choose for he/ she doesn`t know what is in their best interest nor realize the consequences.

The Law-Giver made it imperative on the guardians to steer the child in the right direction as regards thought and belief, and familiarize him/her with performing the commandments of Allah, for He Says {what means}: “O ye who believe! save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from God, but do (precisely) what they are commanded.” {At-Tahreem/6}.

As Islam is the seal of all religions and the one that Allah accepts, it is imperative that parents or guardians work on deepening belief in the hearts of children and make them hold tight to Islam, for Allah The Exalted Says {what means}: “If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to God), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost (All spiritual good).” {Al-Imraan/85}.

After reviewing article(21) which states:

 

 

States Parties that recognize and/or permit the system of adoption shall ensure that the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration and they shall:

(a) Ensure that the adoption of a child is authorized only by competent authorities who determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures and on the basis of all pertinent and reliable information, that the adoption is permissible in view of the child's status concerning parents, relatives and legal guardians and that, if required, the persons concerned have given their informed consent to the adoption on the basis of such counselling as may be necessary.

(b) Recognize that inter-country adoption may be considered as an alternative means of child's care, if the child cannot be placed in a foster or an adoptive family or cannot in any suitable manner be cared for in the child's country of origin;

(c) Ensure that the child concerned by inter-country adoption enjoys safeguards and standards equivalent to those existing in the case of national adoption;

(d) Take all appropriate measures to ensure that, in inter-country adoption, the placement does not result in improper financial gain for those involved in it;

(e) Promote, where appropriate, the objectives of the present article by concluding bilateral or multilateral arrangements or agreements, and endeavour, within this framework, to ensure that the placement of the child in another country is carried out by competent authorities or organs.

The Board is of the view that this article contradicts with the rules of Islamic Sharia because adoption is forbidden in Islam as stated in the following verse {which means}: “God has not made for any man two hearts in his (one) body: nor has He made your wives whom ye divorce by Zihar your mothers: nor has He made your adopted sons your sons. Such is (only) your (manner of) speech by your mouths. But God tells (you) the Truth, and He shows the (right) Way.” {Al-Ahzaab/4}. Also: “Call them by (the names of) their fathers: that is juster in the sight of God. But if ye know not their father’s (names, call them) your Brothers in faith, or your maulas. But there is no blame on you if ye make a mistake therein: (what counts is) the intention of your hearts: and God is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” {Al-Ahzaab/5}.

These  verses clearly state that when someone says that his adopted son is his own son, it doesn`t make him as such; it is only a manner of speech by his mouth. Therefore, it is imperative that a Muslim says the truth and abides by what Allah says in this regard, and that is calling these sons by the names of their fathers, but if their fathers aren`t known, then call them brothers in the faith.

Moreover, Allah`s Apostle said: “If somebody claims to be the son of somebody other than his father knowingly, he will be denied Paradise (i.e. he will not enter Paradise.” {Bukhari}.

In addition, adoption contradicts with the Islamic inheritance system, represents an aggression against the sanctity of honors, and is a sort of lying and deceiving exercised against the child as well as society; therefore, Muslims are obliged to abide by the rules of the true Sharia in case dispute arises. Allah The Exalted Saya {what means}:” O ye who believe! Obey God, and obey the Apostle, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to God and His Apostle, if ye do believe in God and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination.” {An-Nissa`/59}.

As a result, the Board confirms its former resolution and recommends reserving both articles, 14&15, since they contradict the rules of Islamic Sharia. And Allah Knows Best.

 

 

 

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice, Izzaldeen At-Tamimi
Dr. Ahmad Hilayel
Dr. Yousef Ghyzaan
Dr. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi
Dr. Wasif Abdulwahaab
Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi
Dr. Mohammad Abu Yahia
Sheikh Nai`em Mujahid
Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

 

 

* Kindly refer to Al-Bukhary's book [Al-Faraid/Hadith No.6766] and Moslim's book  [Al-Iman/Hadith No. 62].

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What does (Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward) mean?

This phrase is part of a hadith in which the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah, their past sins will be forgiven." [Agreed upon]
The meaning is:
● They fast Ramadan with firm belief that Allah has made it obligatory.
● They fast out of obedience to Allah, knowing they will meet Him.
● They hope for reward from Allah and fast purely out of their faith while seeking His reward.

Is it permissible for an elderly person, a pregnant woman, or someone with a chronic illness to pay fidyah before Ramadan begins?

It is not permissible for an elderly person, a pregnant woman, or someone with a chronic illness to pay fidyah before Ramadan begins.
Additionally, it is not allowed to pay fidyah for more than one day in advance, because fidyah is a substitute for fasting, and fasting is not yet obligatory at that time.
However, it is permissible to pay fidyah for a single day in advance, by analogy with paying zakat up to one year in advance.

What is the ruling on ablution if vaginal discharge is expelled, and is it impure?

If these discharges exit from the external genitalia (apparent part of the vagina), they are not impure and do not invalidate ablution. If they exit from the internal part, they are impure and do invalidate ablution. If it is uncertain whether they are from the internal or external part, they are not impure and do not invalidate ablution.
 
The apparent part is what becomes visible when sitting, and what the husband's penis reaches during intercourse is considered part of the apparent. The internal part is what is beyond that. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on selling gold or silver in installments or for a differed price?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is prohibited (haram) to sell gold or silver in installments or for a deferred price; rather, immediate hand-to-hand exchange (Taqabud) is mandatory, otherwise, it is considered usury (Riba). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, dates for dates, and salt for salt—like for like, hand to hand. Whoever increases or asks for an increase has engaged in Riba; the receiver and the giver are the same in this regard.' (Narrated by Muslim). Furthermore, when exchanging new gold for used gold, they must be of equal weight, or it falls into Riba.
 
The permissible solution (al-makhraj) is for the merchant to purchase the used gold for cash first, and then sell the new gold for cash in a separate transaction. However, the price must be paid during the sitting of the contract (Majlis al-Aqd) for both deals. Alternatively, the jeweler may take the used gold with the intent of remodeling or repairing it, and then charge a fee for the craftsmanship or repair work. And Allah the Exalted knows best."