Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(28): “Confirmation of Sighting the Crescents of Ramadan and Shawaal “

Date Added : 28-10-2015

 

Resolution No.(28): “Confirmation of Sighting the Crescents of Ramadaan and Shawaal“

Date: 12/11/1413 AH corresponding to 4/2/1993.

 

The Board has reviewed the issue of confirming the sighting of the crescent in general and the crescents of Ramadan and Shawaal in particular, so it decided what follows:

The new lunar month commences upon confirming the sighting of the crescent in the western horizon after sunset of the twenty-ninth of the same lunar month. If it hadn`t appeared that night, then the month of Ramadan becomes thirty days.

The testimony of a trustworthy person who testifies that he saw the new moon in the manner indicated above is accepted if the astronomical calculations confirmed that the new moon was born.

However, if these calculations proved otherwise, then his testimony isn`t accepted because there is doubt in that regard.

Moreover, if the sighting of the new moon was confirmed in any of the Islamic states in accordance the aforementioned manner, then it must be relied on, even if the new moon wasn`t seen in the rest of the Islamic states. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice Dr.Nooh Al-Qodaat
Acting Mufti General, Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi
Mufti of Jordanian Armed Forces, Mahmood Shwayaat
Dr. Abdassalam Al-Abbadi
Dr. Ahmad Hilayel
Sheikh Ratib Az-zahir
Dr. Mahmood As-sartawi
Ibrahim Khash-shaan

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on using a miswak (tooth-stick) during the day in Ramadan?

It is permissible to use a miswak before noon while fasting. However, according to the Shafi'i school, it is disliked (makruh) after noon in order to preserve the natural effect of fasting in the mouth, as the Prophetﷺ said in authentic hadith:
"The breath of a fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the fragrance of musk."

Can a woman leading other women in Tarawih prayer recite aloud?

Yes, a woman leading other women in Tarawih prayer is allowed to recite aloud, as long as no non-mahram (other than unmarriageable kin) men can hear her.

Is it permissible to pay the Zakah (obligatory charity) for settling the debt of a deceased relative?

It is impermissible to pay the Zakah for settling the debt of the deceased since Zakah is paid to eligible recipients who are alive. As for the debts of the deceased, they are to be settled from the estate before dividing it amongst the heirs, but if the deceased didn`t leave an estate, then it is desirable for his/her heirs to settle those debts if they can afford them. And Allah Knows Best.

Does the Obligatory Ritual Bath (Ghusl) Suffice in Place of Ablution (Wuḍūʾ)?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The more prudent course is to perform ablution (wuḍūʾ) after the ritual bath (ghusl), so as to exit the difference of scholarly opinion and because the sufficiency of the ritual bath in place of ablution is contingent upon a number of conditions and requirements being met. And Allah the Almighty knows best.