Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(218): "Ruling on Accepting the Donations Made by Non-Islamic Banks to Charitable Organizations"

Date Added : 21-12-2015

Resolution No.(218)(8/2015) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on Accepting the Donations Made by Non-Islamic Banks to Charitable Organizations"

Date: 24/Zolhijjah/1436 AH, corresponding to 8/10/2015 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.

On the above given date, the Board reviewed the question of His Excellency Dr. Marwan Al-Homood, which reads as follows: What is the ruling of Islamic Sharia on accepting the donations made by non-Islamic banks to establish different charitable societies, or to equip them with furniture and other supplies?

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

Islam has defined certain methods for making money and spending it, and has prohibited a Muslim from resorting to unlawful means for making a living. Therefore, that which he earns from a lawful business is equally lawful, for he can eat from it, spend, and give to charity and receive a reward from Allah, The Almighty. On the other hand, that which he earns from an unlawful business is equally unlawful, so he doesn`t receive a reward for it; rather, he is considered sinful, for Allah accepts only that which is lawful. Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said: "There is no flesh raised that sprouts from the unlawful except that the Fire is more appropriate for it." {At-Tirmizi}

Since the transactions of non-Islamic banks include that which is lawful and unlawful, there is no harm in accepting the donations that they make to charitable activities, such as establishing relief agencies, research centres, charitable societies, and schools. This is because the four Muslim Jurists have permitted accepting the gifts of those whose lawful money is mixed with unlawful money. They also said that its owner is the one accountable for committing the sin of earning unlawful money. This is provided that the donations aren`t used for promoting unlawful transactions, and that the unlawful money wasn`t considered as such because it was made by coercion, or theft. This reason of prohibition that such money should be given back to its rightful owner and can`t be accepted as a donation. And Allah Knows Best.

The Grand Mufti of Jordan / His Eminence Sheikh AbdulKareem al-Khasawneh

Prof. Abdulnasser Abulbasal / Member

Dr. Yahia al-Botoosh / Member

Sheikh Sae`id Hijjawi / Member

Dr. Wasif al-Bakhri / 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 of Islamic Law on performing ṭawāf on the upper floors of al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, given that these floors are situated above the level of the Ka‘bah, and that the one performing ṭawāf passes by certain barriers, such as pillars and walls, during the ṭawāf?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
There are numerous conditions for the validity of ṭawāf (circumambulation around the Ka‘bah), among them: that the one performing ṭawāf be inside the Masjid (al-Masjid al-Ḥarām) — even if the Masjid has been expanded, so long as the expansion does not extend out into al-ḥill (land outside the sanctuary boundaries). It suffices for the ṭawāf to be performed in the airspace of the Masjid or upon its roof, even if that roof is higher than the Ka‘bah (the House) itself.
Al-Khaṭīb ash-Shirbīnī (raḥimahullāh) said: "It [ṭawāf] is valid upon the roof of the Masjid, even if the roof of the Masjid is higher than the House — just as prayer [is valid] upon Mount Abū Qubays despite its elevation above the House. This is the relied-upon (mu‘tamad) position." [Mughnī al-Muḥtāj, Vol.2/P.246]
The validity of the tawaf isn`t affected by the pillars and walls standing between the one performing ṭawāf and the House, since the condition is only that the person performing ṭawāf be within the boundaries of the Masjid and outside the boundaries of the Ka‘bah itself.
Ash-Shirbīnī said: "It [ṭawāf] is valid inside the Masjid, even if it is expanded, and even if a barrier stands between the one circumambulating and the House — such as a water-supply structure (saqāyah) or pillars (sawārī)." [Mughnī al-Muḥtāj, Vol. 2/P.246]
Accordingly, ṭawāf performed on the upper floors is valid, and the presence of barriers such as pillars and walls during the ṭawāf does not affect its validity. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

Is a person rewarded for refraining from all that breaks their fast when required to do so, and is it considered a valid fast?

If a person eats or drinks thinking that Fajr has not yet arrived, but then someone informs them that Fajr had already begun, they must refrain from eating for the rest of the day and make up the fast later.
If they observe the required restraint (imsak), they will be rewarded for obeying the command because fulfilling an obligation brings reward.
However, this is not considered a valid fast in terms of rulings. For example:
● It is not disliked (makruh) for them to use a miswak after noon.
● They are not encouraged to hasten the breaking of the fast at sunset.
● Other fasting-related rulings do not apply to them.

What is the ruling on shaving the head of the newborn?

It is desirable to shave the head of the newborn on the seventh day from delivery, and the weight of his/her hair is given in gold , or silver as charity.

When is a child instructed to fast?

A child is instructed to fast at the age of seven if they are capable of fasting and have reached the age of discernment, by analogy to prayer. They should be encouraged but not forced, so they can become accustomed to it. It is obligatory for their guardian, whether a father or another, to instruct them.