Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Date Added : 18-11-2015

Resolution No.(189)(9/2013) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Types of Stem Cells and the Sharia Rulings Pertaining to them"

Date: 27/Tholqidah/1434 AH, corresponding to 3/10/2013.

 

All perfect praise is due to Allah, peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

Elaborating on its earlier resolution No.(6/2013) which included special amendments to the stem cells system, the Board decided what follows:

In terms of medicine, stem cells are unspecialized (undifferentiated) cells that are characteristically of the same family type (lineage). They retain the ability to divide throughout life and give rise to cells that can become highly specialized and take the place of cells that die or are lost. Stem cells contribute to the body`s ability to renew and repair its tissues. Based on their source, stem cells are divided into the following types; each has its own ruling from the perspective of Sharia:

Type One: Human Embryonic Stem Cells

These are taken from fertilized eggs that are left over from in vitro fertilization (IVF), starting from the date of fertilization and ending after five days from the start of the sequential segmentations.

For this type to be considered permissible, fertilization should take place between two spouses who wish to beget children, and whose marriage contract is valid. This is provided that they abide by the specified number of fertilization attempts along with observing the rules of Sharia concerning the test-tube babies.

Type Two: Adult Stem Cells:

These are taken from the umbilical cord after delivery, milk teeth, different tissues of a human being after being born, aborted fetuses, tissues of fetuses implanted in the uterus or the umbilical cord or the placenta and its membrane, and the amniotic fluid,  whether inside the uterus or outside it.

Using this type of cells is permissible; however, proper legislations should be set up in order to ban deliberate abortion that aims at obtaining them. It is also important to avoid taking advantage of illegal abortion, because the use of these cells could lead to legalizing such abortion.

Type Three: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells:

They are specialized adult cells that can be programmed into cells that behave like embryonic stem cells.

Type Four: Hybrid Stem Cells:

These cells result from combining human DNA with a non-human cell.

Islamic Sharia permits using the third and the fourth types because there is no Sharia evidence that forbids them. This is provided that they aren`t implanted in a woman`s womb and they aren`t used for increasing mankind.

In conclusion, it is conditioned that the above mentioned types don`t cause any harm to mankind and that the medical rules and regulations are observed. The Legislation and Opinion Bureau has worked out a draft-law to that end and it was ratified by the Iftaa` Board which made key amendments to it in order to make sure that the rules of Sharia are abided by. And Allah Knows Best. 

 

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

Vice-Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Prof. Ahmad Helayel

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

His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Pro. Mohammad Al-Qhodat/ Member

     Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member

Dr.Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

What should a sick person, who is incapable of fasting, and who didn`t make up for missed fasting days, do?

One who has missed fasting days is obliged to make up for them, but if he/she wasn`t able to because of an incurable disease , or old age, then he/she has to pay a ransom which is feeding a needy person for each of the missed fasting days. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the ruling on reciting verses of the Holy Quran on water, then drinking it?

It is permissible to recite Quran on water, then drink it as a kind of treatment since the Quran heals. Allah, The Almighty, Says (What means): "We send down (stage by stage) in the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss." [Al-Isra`/82].

Is permissible to include a will requesting that a Holy Qur'an buried along with me?

It is not permissible to include a will requesting that a Quran be buried with the deceased in their grave. This is because the body of the deceased typically decomposes and may release impure substances, and it is not allowed to expose the Quran to impurity. Intentionally desecrating the Quran is an act of disbelief. Instead, read the Quran during your lifetime, as it will benefit you after death. And Allah Knows Best.

I work in a government institution that gives an additional three dinars per hour I work. The manager combines students into a single session because attendance is low, and the material taught to all groups is the same. I am paid for two hours, although I actually taught only one session, noting that my transportation costs one and a half dinars. What is the ruling?

The only amount you are permitted to take/have is for one hour work. And Allah Knows Best.