Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(238): "Sighting the Crescent of Ramadan,1438 AH"

Date Added : 29-05-2017

 

Resolution No.(238) (6/2017)

"Sighting the Crescent of Ramadan, 1438 AH"

Date: (29/ Sha`ban/1438 AH), (26/5/2017).    

 

All perfect praise be 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 its sixths session held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic studies reviewed sighting the crescent of Ramadan for this year/1438 on basis of the astronomical calculations conducted by the crescents committee of the General Iftaa` Department. 

After deliberations, the Board decided the following:

In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious,  Most Merciful

Allah, The Almighty, Said (What means): "Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting"{Al-Baqarah/185}. Allah also Said (What means): "They ask thee concerning the New Moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men, and for Pilgrimage." {Al-Baqarah/189}. Moreover, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break it on sighting it." {Related by Bukhari}.

In compliance with Sharia texts, the Iftaa` Board convened on Friday evening (29th of Sha`baan, 1438 AH, corresponding to 26,5,2017) to sight the crescent of Ramadan, accompanied by the Chief Justice, the Minister of Awqaf, a number of eminent scholars, and experts of astronomy.

Based on the results arrived at by the crescent sighting committee of the General Iftaa` Department and the concerned authorities, and which were harmonious with the astronomical calculations, it was ascertained by the Iftaa` Board that tomorrow, Saturday, is the first day of the holy month of Ramadan for the year 1438 AH, corresponding to 26,5,2017AD.

Accordingly, the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies is privileged to extend the warmest congratulations to His Majesty King Abdullah the second Ibn Al-Hussein, His crown Prince, and the Hashemite Family on this blessed occasion. May Allah protect His Majesty and grant Him good health.

The Board also extends its congratulations to the people of Jordan as well as the Arab and Muslim Nations. It prays that Allah makes it a month of peace, security, faith, goodness and piety. And may Allah accept our fasting and night prayers. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of Iftaa` Board,
Grand Mufti of Jordan,
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh
Vice Head of teh Iftaa' Head /Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaaz/ Member

Mohammad Khair Al-Issa/ Member

Dr. Wa'el Arabiat/ Member

Dr. Majid Darawsheh/ Member
Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi/ Member
Judge Khalid Woraikat/ Member

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat/ Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zobi/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on eating or drinking during the first Adhan?

It is permissible to eat and drink during the first Adhan because it takes place before the break of dawn. The purpose of this Adhan is to notify Muslims of the approaching dawn so they can prepare to stop eating when they hear the second Adhan.

What is the ruling on making up missed prayers during prohibited times?

 

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to make up (qada’) missed prayers at any time, even during the periods when prayer is generally prohibited. The prayers that are forbidden and considered invalid during these times are 'absolute voluntary prayers' (nafl mutlaq)—which have no specific cause—and voluntary prayers whose cause follows the prayer itself, such as the Sunnah of entering Ihram or the Sunnah of the Istikharah prayer. Furthermore, no prayer is considered disliked (makruh) during these prohibited times when performed within the Meccan Sanctuary (Makkah al-Mukarramah).
 
It is stated in Bushra al-Karim (Vol.1/P.181), one of the Shafi’i texts: 'It is not forbidden to perform prayers that have a cause that is not delayed (i.e., the cause is preceding), such as making up a missed prayer (fa’itah)—even if it was a voluntary one—and the funeral prayer (janazah); or a cause that is simultaneous, such as the prayer for rain (istisqa’) or the eclipse prayer (kusuf)... and the Sunnah of wudu, the greeting of the mosque (tahiyyat al-masjid), the Sunnah of circumambulation (tawaf), the Sunnah of arrival, and the prostrations of recitation (tilawah) or thankfulness (shukr). These mentioned prayers and their like are not forbidden provided that one does not specifically intend (ta'ammud) to perform them during the disliked time because it is a disliked time. If one does so intentionally, it becomes forbidden, even if it is a mandatory makeup prayer that is due immediately; because in that case, one is acting in defiance of the Sharia. This is in contrast to when one does not specifically seek out that time, even if the prayer happens to fall within it, or if one seeks it for another purpose—such as delaying a funeral prayer to that time so that a larger number of people may pray over the deceased; in such cases, it is permissible and valid... And it is forbidden to perform prayers with no cause at all, like absolute nafl, or those with a delayed cause, such as the Istikharah prayer, the prayer for Ihram, the prayer for a need (hajah), the prayer before leaving the house, or the prayer before execution; because their causes occur after the prayer itself.' And Allah the Exalted knows best."

What should someone do if they fasted for 30 days in their country, then traveled to a place where people are still fasting?

If a person completes 30 days of fasting in their country and then travels to another country where people are still fasting, they should continue fasting with them until they observe Eid. Even if they have already completed 30 days, he/she should abstain from eating and drinking and join the people of that country because he/she has now become part of that community.

Can I start fasting based on the moon sighting of another country?

You must follow the moon sighting of the country you are in.