Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

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 should the man, whose wife wasn`t on good terms with his mother, do?

Both the mother and the wife have rights on the man in question; therefore, each should be given her rights justly, and he should resort to wisdom to please both of them and make reconciliation.

Is it permissible for a Muslim to slaughter an Aqeeqah on behalf of someone else, and offer it to him as a gift?

In principle, the guardian is the one who should offer the Aqeeqah(the sheep slaughtered on the seventh day from the child`s birth) because he is obliged to provide for the newborn, and it is impermissible for anyone else to slaughter it on his behalf unless with his consent. However, it is permissible for a person to offer the sheep, or its price as a gift to the guardian of the newborn, and then the latter can slaughter it, or deputies someone else to do that on his behalf.

It was found out that a man divorced his wife for the third time in 2005, but they continued cohabiting as man and wife. However, when they realized that what they were doing was unlawful, they came the Iftaa` Department in 2009 and were told that they can`t be together. What is the position of Sharia on this couple?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Her Iddah* period starts after the third divorce. As for the continued cohabitation, it is unlawful because being ignorant about the rulings of Sharia while in Dar Al-Islam* is no valid excuse. If a baby came as the fruit of this unlawful consummation of marriage, then a judge of Sharia has the final say in this regard because lineage is a serious matter. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
* ʿIddah: a specified period of time that must elapse before a Muslim widow or divorcee may legitimately remarry. The Qurʾān (2:228) prescribes that a menstruating woman have three monthly periods before contracting a new marriage; the required delay for a nonmenstruating woman is three lunar months.
* Dar Al-Islam: designates a territory where Muslims are free to practice their religion, though this often implies the implementation of Islamic law, whereas Dar al-Harb represents those lands ruled by non-believers

Is Zakah(obligatory charity)due on land intended for selling?

Yes, lands intended for selling are evaluated, and Zakah is paid according to their estimated value after a lunar year had lapsed, but if the owner didn`t pay the due Zakah, then he should do so after selling them.