Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(35): “Issues in Pregnancy and Childbirth“

Date Added : 28-10-2015

 

Resolution No.(35): “Issues in Pregnancy and Childbirth“

Date: 23/12/1413 corresponding to 13/6/1993

 

The Board has received the following questions:

Question (1):

What is the ruling of sharia on the use of the loop, taking into consideration that it prevents a sperm from reaching an ovum or causes the fertilized ovum to be aborted?

Answer: 

A loop is a contraceptive tool, and using it for a lawful reason is permissible with the consent of both spouses similar to practicing coitus interruptus, for Jabir (May Allah be Pleased with him) said: “We used to practice coitus interruptus during the lifetime of Allah's Apostle while the Quran was being revealed.” Muslim narrated on the authority of Jabir:” The Prophet knew about that (coitus interruptus) and didn`t prohibit us from doing it.”

Question (2): 

A pregnant woman whose fetus has water in his head (congenital malformation), what is the ruling of Sharia on drilling his head to allow the water to come out in order to be delivered naturally or by a caesarian section?

Answer: 

If it was verified that the water in the fetus`s head prevents delivering him naturally or by caesarian section, then we should distinguish four cases:

First Case: It is possible to treat him while in his mother`s uterus, and the doctors decide drilling his head and drawing the water out of it. In this situation, it isn`t permissible to resort to any other procedure.

Second Case: It is impossible to take him out of his mother`s uterus no matter what, because his head is big and treating him isn`t possible. In this situation, drawing the water out of his head is an obligation, even if it leads to his death, to save his mother.

Third Case: If the specialized doctors decide that this fetus has no chance to survive regardless of the procedure employed in delivering him, then it is permissible to drill his head to allow the water to come out.

Fourth Case: If the specialized doctors determine that there is a chance for the fetus to survive with being deformed, then drilling his head is impermissible and they are obliged to take the necessary measures to deliver him and preserve the life of the mother.

Question (3):

 A woman has given birth to two deformed babies. However, she got pregnant, and underwent a medical test, which proved that her fetus is deformed as well; what is the ruling of Sharia on aborting it?

Answer: 

If it became four months old or more, then aborting it is impermissible, even if it was deformed, in case the doctors determined that it is likely to survive. However, if it jeopardizes the mother`s life, then it is permissible to abort it. Moreover, if it didn`t become four months old, and it was confirmed that its deformity will make its life unstable, then it is permissible to abort it with the consent of both spouses.

Question (4): 

A woman got pregnant for the first time, but her husband wants her to give birth by undergoing a caesarian section, although she can have a natural delivery?

Answer: 

In principle, natural delivery is the norm because it is in the best interest of both, the baby and its mother. Therefore, it is impermissible to substitute natural delivery with a caesarian section, unless for a necessity assessed by the doctors.

Question (5): 

A woman has many children, but her income is insufficient, so she wants to have her tubes tied, and refuses to use any other means of birth control. Is this permissible?

Answer: 

It is impermissible to tie her tubes for the above reason because undergoing this procedure will stop her from giving birth, she will become barren, and this involves defacing the nature created by Allah. He states in the Noble Quran what Satan said to Him {what means}: “I will mislead them, and I will create in them false desires; I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and to deface the (fair) nature created by God." Whoever, forsaking God, takes satan for a friend, hath of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest. “ {An-Nissa`/119}. Undergoing such a procedure also violates the intentions of Islamic Sharia as regards preserving the offspring. Allah, The Almighty Says {what means}: “And God has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature, and made for you, out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for you sustenance of the best: will they then believe in vain things, and be ungrateful for God’s favors? “ {An-Nahil/72}. In addition, it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Marry the one who is fertile and loving, for I will be proud of your great number before the nations on the Day of Resurrection.” And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Chief Justice Izzaddeen Al-Tamimi

Acting Mufti General, Sheikh Saeid Hijjawi

Mufti General of Jordanian Armed Forces: Mhamood Shwayat

        Dr. Abdassalam Al-Abbadi

Dr. Umar Al-Ashkaar

     Dr. Mohammad Yaseen

       Dr. Mahmood Al-Sartawi

         Dr. AbdulAziz Al-Khaiyaat

               Sheikh Ibrahim Khash-shaan

   Sheikh Ratib Az-zahir

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on obtaining financing from Islamic banks by bringing invoices in prior arrangement with the seller, then taking the cash after the financing is approved — with the purpose of settling debts and buying a car?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It appears from the transaction described that its underlying purpose is to obtain cash through resorting to a legal artifice (ḥīlah/tawarruq-style trick), and it is not permissible to engage in such trickery or to coordinate with the various parties merely to obtain liquidity. This is because such artifices bring the sale closer in reality to a ribā-based (usurious) transaction, even if it outwardly appears otherwise.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not commit what the Jews committed, thereby making lawful what Allah has made unlawful through the flimsiest of tricks." This was related by Ibn Baṭṭah in his book Ibṭāl al-Ḥiyal (p. 47), and many scholars have graded it as ḥasan (sound/acceptable).
We have already explained the impermissibility of engaging in such deceptive dealings with Islamic banks in Fatwa No. 516, so please refer to it. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What are the legal and religious consequences for a charitable organization in the event that a sacrificial animal is damaged or spoiled after slaughter?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
Charitable organizations entrusted with slaughtering sacrificial animals (uḍḥiyyah) and distributing their meat on behalf of their owners are obligated to safeguard the meat from spoilage, damage, theft, and any other harm. This is because such organizations act as agents (wukalā') on behalf of those offering the sacrifice, and an agent holds what is entrusted to them in trust (amānah) — whether they receive a wage for their work or act on a voluntary basis.
If the sacrificial animal is damaged after slaughter during the processes of packaging, transportation, or storage due to negligence or oversight — whether on the part of the organization's own staff overseeing the operation, or on the part of third parties contracted by the organization such as transport or shipping companies — then liability falls upon the negligent party, who is required to compensate for the value of the sacrifice. It is not permissible to cover such compensation from the organization's other donor funds.
However, if the damage to the sacrificial animal occurs without any negligence in its preservation and storage on the part of any party involved in the transportation, shipping, or storage process, and is instead attributable to force majeure circumstances beyond their control, then no financial liability is borne by any party in such a case. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is washing the private part after urinating (Istinjaa`) a condition, and is it done with water and soap, or with water only?

Istinjaa` is obligatory for removing impurity, and it can be done with toilet paper, or a stone, or water. It is preferable to do Istinjaa` first with paper, or stone, or the like, then to wash the private part with water until making sure that the impurity has been removed. Using soap is not a condition, but there is no harm in doing so provided that it is washed off with water. It is also permissible to use either water, or paper if impurity is removed by any.

 I`m keeping a plot of land (10 Dunums) for my children. Is it liable for Zakah?

Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds.

Land that is purchased with the intention of ownership and personal benefit—meaning to retain it for use and not for trade—is not subject to zakāh, as such property is not considered from trade commodities (ʿurūḍ al-tijārah).
 
It is stated in Al-Ḥāwī al-Kabīr:
“If it is property and one intends it for trade, then zakāh is due upon it; but if he intends it for personal possession, then no zakāh is due upon it.” And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.