Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(181): "Islamic Banks Subscribing in the Jordan Deposit Insurance Corporation"

Date Added : 02-11-2015

 

Resolution No.(181)(13/2012) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Islamic Banks Subscribing in the Jordan Deposit Insurance Corporation"

Date: 4/11/1433 AH, corresponding to 20/9/2012.

 

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.

On the above given date, the Board reviewed the question sent by the Director-General of the Jordan Deposit Insurance Corporation (JODIC), which reads as follows: What is the ruling of Islamic Sharia on deposits insurance at  Islamic banks and reviewing the amendment of the Corporation`s draft-law pertaining to that?

After researching and deliberating, the Board arrived at the following view:

Deposits at Islamic banks enjoy special characteristics compared to those at non-Islamic banks, because of the difference in the types of accounts.

Therefore, the Board approves of the draft-law which stipulates binding Islamic banks with the insurance of their credit accounts. As regards investment accounts, the annual subscription paid to the Deposit Insurance Corporation should be collected from the holders of these accounts as a deduction against risk. This binds the Corporation to create two independent portfolios at the deposit insurance fund of the Islamic banks, one for the insurance of credit accounts deposits and the other for the investment accounts deposits.

It was made clear to the Board that the amended draft-law rests on values of solidarity and cooperation, and that the amounts paid on this basis are considered donations , and that it (draft-law) aims at protecting people`s funds against risk. In case of liquidation, the capitals of this fund are deposited at the Zakat Fund of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Places.

Accordingly, the Board is of the view that establishing this fund for the insurance of deposits at Islamic banks is permissible, and that the suggested amendments of the draft-law comply with the accredited standards of Islamic Sharia. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Grand Mufti of Jordan: Sheikh AbdulKareem al-Khasawneh

Vice-Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

Prof. Abdulnasser Abulbasal / Member

Dr. Yahia al-Botoosh / Member

Sheikh Sae`id Hijjawi / Member

Prof. Mohammad al-Qhodat / Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh / Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa / Member

Dr. Mohammad  al-Z`obi / Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on discharging one's zakāh obligation through the provision of a specific benefit (manfa‘ah) — such as performing a surgical operation for a patient, or providing housing to a tenant, and counting the value of this service as zakāh?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is obligatory to pay zakāh from the actual asset (‘ayn al-māl) upon which zakāh is due, except in the case of zakāh on trade goods ('urūḍ at-tijārah), which is paid based on their monetary value. In all cases, zakāh must be given in the form of tamlīk (a full transfer of ownership), based on the words of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic (which mean): "Zakāh expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy, and for those employed to collect [zakāh], and for bringing hearts together [for Islam], and for freeing captives [or slaves], and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allah, and for the [stranded] traveler — an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise" [at-Tawbah/60]. The letter "lām" (لِ) in this verse — as in "lil-fuqarā'" ("for the poor") — indicates possession/ownership (lām al-milk).
It is not permissible to fulfill one's zakāh obligation by providing a benefit or service (manfa‘ah) — such as housing, education, or medical treatment — in place of the zakāh itself. This is because zakāh must be paid as wealth (māl) that is transferred into the ownership of the poor recipient, whereas such services are intangible benefits that are not, in themselves, capable of being formally transferred in ownership (ghayr qābilah lit-tamlīk). And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What do you say about someone who stays up all night on Laylat al-Qadr but misses Fajr prayer?

Such a person has deprived themselves of a great reward. Performing obligatory acts is more beloved to Allah than voluntary acts. Fajr prayer is an obligation, and performing it in congregation is equivalent to worshiping for the entire night. So how can someone neglect it while striving for voluntary prayers?!

Is it acceptable to perform the Aqiqah for a male child by slaughtering and distributing the first sheep, and bringing the second one cooked from the restaurant?

 

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.

It is permissible to slaughter the first sheep with the intention of Aqiqah (the newborn's sacrificial offering) and distribute it entirely [uncooked], and to slaughter the second sheep and have it cooked at a restaurant to bring home for the household. However, it must be noted that it is obligatory to give some portion of the Aqiqah in charity to the poor, even if it is a small amount, though it is preferable to send the food cooked to them.

Buying a pre-cooked, ready-made sheep from a restaurant does not suffice as an Aqiqah. However, if an agreement is made with the restaurant to explicitly slaughter a sheep with the intention of Aqiqah for the newborn, and then cook it afterward, this is permissible.

In conclusion, slaughtering the sheep and distributing it with the intention of Aqiqah is permissible, and through it, the foundational prophetic tradition (Sunnah) is fulfilled. As for simply buying a cooked sheep from a restaurant that was not specifically slaughtered with the intention of Aqiqah, it will not count as such. Conversely, if the restaurant owner is commissioned (Wakala) to handle both the slaughtering and the cooking as an Aqiqah, it is valid. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the meaning of the Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The Udhiyah (Sacrificial Offering) refers to the livestock (An'am) that is slaughtered as an act of drawing closer to Allah the Almighty. This takes place on the day of Eid al-Adha (the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah) and during the three days of Tashreeq that follow the day of Eid. And Allah the Exalted knows best.