Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(197): "Economic Security is an Objectives of Sharia that can be Achieved through Justice and Reform"

Date Added : 26-11-2015

Resolution No.(197)(6/2014) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Economic Security is an Objectives of Sharia that can be Achieved through Justice and Reform"

Date: 23/Rabi` Al-thani/1435 AH, corresponding to 23/2/2014.

 

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

On the above given date, the Board reviewed the question sent by one of the MPs concerning the negative effects of tax evasion and theft of public funds on the security of the national economy. He requested clarifying the ruling of Sharia on tax evasion?

After researching and deliberating, the Board decided what follows:

The security of the national economy as well as the protection of public funds are a trust that should be restored by every citizen, as Enjoined by Almighty Allah in the following verse whereas, He Says (what means): "Verily, God commands you to restore trusts. And when you judge between people, that you judge with justice. Excellent is the admonition God gives you. God is ever Hearer, Seer." {An`nisa`/58}. Moreover, it is a collective responsibility as indicated by the Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) who said: "All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects, the man is a guardian of his family, the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husband's house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects." {Agreed upon}.

The first guardian is the ruler and those in charge of  running people`s livelihoods and affairs. It is their duty to act as deputies of the people in fulfilling the injunctions of Allah through the proper management of resources, realizing justice of opportunity and distribution, cutting down expenses, fighting corruption, adherence to preserving the principles of Sharia in the national economy, and allowing the people to take an actual part in that process. This task can be realized through MPs who believe in a true mission that celebrates the values of Islam and observes the interests of the people. They should also monitor the financial performance of the executive authority in order to help end tax evasion and make the tax payer enjoy the satisfaction of supporting his nation and country.

Moreover, the wealthy shoulder a similar responsibility towards public funds and tax because they are key for the development of the economy. Therefore, it is impermissible that a member of this class abstains from paying taxes because others don`t; rather, he should adhere to the injunctions of Allah, Who Says (What means): "O you who believe, fear God and be with those who are truthful." {At-Tawbah/119}.

The Iftaa` Board recommends promulgating a law pertaining to giving Zakah and collecting that which is due to the poor from the rich, because it has a great effect in achieving social solidarity. And Allah Knows Best.

 

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

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

Prof. Hayel Abdulhafeez/ Member

Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member

His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member

Prof. Mohammad Al-Qudat/ Member

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

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

Dr.Wasif Al-Bak`kri/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-eesa/Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

Which is better during the day in Ramadan: reciting the Quran or performing voluntary prayers?

A Muslim should establish a daily schedule for reciting the Quran in Ramadan.
Once they have completed their daily portion (known as a wird or hizb), they can engage in other acts of worship, including voluntary prayers (nawafil). Prayer itself is called "Quran", because a significant part of it involves reciting the Quran.
Allah says: "BE CONSTANT in [thy] prayer from the time when the sun has passed its zenith till the darkness of night, and [be ever mindful of its] recitation at dawn: for, behold, the recitation [of prayer] at dawn is indeed witnessed [by all that is holy]." [Al-Isra`/78]

What is the ruling on offering a sheep as a sacrifice (Udhiyah) if its fat-tail is sound, except that when it was young, the tip of its fat-tail was cut so that it would grow larger? And what is the ruling in case of doubt regarding the amount that was cut?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Cutting a minor, insignificant portion from the tip of an animal's fat-tail (al-alyah) to encourage it to grow larger is not considered a defect, and it does not prevent the animal from being valid for sacrifice (Udhiyah).
 
It is stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol.9/P.352): "There is some scholarly deliberation regarding the common practice of cutting the tip of the fat-tail so that it grows larger. It could potentially be likened to a partial cut of the ear—supported by the jurists' general rule: 'even if it is a small amount.' On the other hand, if it is an exceptionally minor cut, it might have no effect on validity. This is explicitly clarified by the juristic exception to the general rule, which states that cutting a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm. This latter view is more well-founded.
 
Furthermore, I found that some scholars investigated this matter and concluded: 'It should not affect validity if a custom-sanctioned portion of its fat-tail is removed during its youth to make it grow larger and look better, just as castrating a male animal causes no harm.' However, applying this unconditionally contradicts the established texts of the jurists, as understood from what I have laid out; thus, the restriction I specified is what must be relied upon."
 
Similarly, it is mentioned in Nihayat al-Muhtaj (8/135): "If a small piece is cut from the fat-tail to help it grow larger, the most well-founded view is that the sacrifice remains valid, as was given in a formal legal verdict (Fatwa) by my father [Shihab al-Din al-Ramli], may Allah be pleased with him. This is proven by the jurists' maxim: 'The loss of a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm.'"
 
In cases where there is doubt as to whether the portion cut was large or small, the animal is still deemed valid for sacrifice. It is noted in Hashiyat al-Shubramallisi ‘ala Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol.8/P.135):
 
"This matter requires careful consideration, but the closer and more correct view is that it is valid. This is because soundness is the default state for the animal from which the piece was cut, and it aligns with what usually occurs—namely, that the part removed to help the fat-tail grow larger is naturally very small." And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling on a mother giving the Zakat of her wealth to her children?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible for a mother to give her children from the Zakat if they are among those who are eligible for it—such as being poor (Fuqara), possessing no wealth, and not being sufficiently provided for by the maintenance (Nafaqah) of others. This is based on the statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ regarding Zaynab, the wife of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with them both): (Your husband and your children are the most deserving of those upon whom you spend in charity) [Narrated by Al-Bukhari].
 
It is stated in [Al-Hawi al-Kabir, Vol. 8/P.537]: 'As for the wife, it is permissible for her to pay her Zakat to her husband from all the designated shares... Our evidence is the generality of the saying of Allah the Almighty: "Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy", and the Hadith of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet ﷺ said to Zaynab, the wife of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: (Your husband and your children are the most deserving of those upon whom you spend), and this is taken in its general sense.' And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on one who slept while firmly seated on the ground, regarding nullification of ablution?

The default ruling regarding sleep is that it nullifies ablution. An exception to this is one who slept while firmly seated on the ground; his ablution is not nullified by sleep if he wakes up while still firmly seated on the ground. And Allah the Almighty knows best.