Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(155): "Ruling on the Loan Conditioned by Making a Fixed Monthly Payment to a Solidarity Fund whose Benefit Goes to the Borrowers"

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(155)(20/2010) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on the Loan Conditioned by Making a Fixed Monthly Payment to a Solidarity Fund whose Benefit Goes to the Borrowers"

Date: 26/12/1431 AH, corresponding to 2/12/2010 AD.

 

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

During its eleventh session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the following question:

I`m a government employee and I have received (22000) JDs as a housing loan. Upon collecting that sum, I found out that I should pay (100) JDs as stamps, and that there was a solidarity fund related to the Employees Housing Fund by which (5) JDs are deducted monthly besides the installment, regardless of the loan`s value, which ranges between (15000) and (30000) JDs. It is worth mentioning that the repayment period is (20) years and this applies to all the employees, regardless of the loan`s value. By conclusion, each employee pays (1200) JDs to the solidarity fund over twenty years, knowing that in case an employee dies, this fund pays off all his unpaid installments, regardless of the amount due to the Housing Fund, whether it was (30000) or one JD, and his heirs aren`t liable for repaying any sum.

After thorough deliberations, the Board decided what follows:

The above loan is permissible because the value of the stamps goes to the public treasury, so there is no harm in paying that amount. Moreover, it isn`t usurious because in usury it is a condition that the loan brings profit to the loaner himself; whereas, the value of the stamps goes to the state, not the loaner.

As regards the payments made to the solidarity fund, they are permissible as well, because it enhances solidarity amongst the borrowers. However, each fund should have its independent account so that payments made to the solidarity fund aren`t re-loaned by the Employees Housing Fund. This way eliminates  the suspicion of usury.

It is better that you (questioner) pay the whole amount due to the solidarity fund at the beginning so that nothing gets deducted from the loan or added to it; rather, paying that amount in advance should be a condition for taking the loan. This way, the contract becomes free from the suspicion of usury. We advise participants to pay that amount in advance as a kind of grant or donation. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Head of the Iftaa` Board, The Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

Vice Head of the Iftaa` Board, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member

His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa

Judge Sarrie Attieh

Dr. Abdulrahman Ibbdah/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Oklah/ Member

Dr. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Gharaibeh/ Member

Executive Secretary of the Iftaa` Board, Sheikh Mohammad Al-Hunaiti

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to participate in an Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Regarding the sacrificial offering (Udhiyah), if it is a sheep or a goat, it only avails for one person. However, if it is a cow or a camel, it avails for seven people. It is permissible for the seven participants to have different intentions; for example, some may intend the sacrifice (Udhiyah), some the ’Aqiqah (sacrifice for a newborn), and others may simply intend to obtain meat.
 
It is stated in Hashiyat Qalyubi ‘ala Sharh al-Mahalli (Vol.4/P.256) and in Bushra al-Karim (p. 706):
 
"If one slaughters a camel or a cow on behalf of seven... it is permissible. Likewise, it is permissible if some of them intend their seventh for meat, and others intend their seventh for ’Aqiqah." And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the wisdom and purpose behind the 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
Among the wisdoms and purposes of the 'aqīqah are the following:
First: Expressing joy at the blessing of Allah the Almighty, rejoicing in the newborn, and giving thanks to Allah for this gift. Allah the Almighty says (what means): "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you." [Ibrāhīm/7]
Second: Proclaiming and publicising the lineage (nasab) of the child — and the 'aqīqah serves as an appropriate and fitting means to this end.
Third: Gladdening the hearts of family members, relatives, friends, and the poor by gathering them together over a shared meal. And Allah Almighty knows best.

When does the time for the 'aqīqah lapse and pass?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
If the guardian was financially capable (mūsir) during the majority of the postnatal period (nifās) — which is sixty days — then the obligation of the 'aqīqah remains upon him until the child reaches the age of maturity (bulūgh). Once the child reaches maturity, the demand falls away from the father and those like him. At that point, it becomes Sunnah for the child himself to perform the 'aqīqah on his own behalf.
However, if the guardian was financially incapable (mu'sir) during the postnatal period, and then became financially capable after its expiry — that is, after sixty days — the 'aqīqah is no longer required of him. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the amount of the Fitr Zakah (obligatory charity) of Ramadan?

The Fitr Zakah of Ramadhaan is a Sa` (2500 grams) from what the people of that country or state eat the most. And Allah Knows Best.