Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(250): "Performing Obligatory Prayers According to their Current Timings (In Jordan) Avails a Person"

Date Added : 04-02-2018

Resolution No.(250) (1/2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Performing Obligatory Prayers According to their Current Timings(In Jordan) Avails a Person"

Date 11/Jumada Al-Aoal/1439 AH, corresponding to 28/1/2018 AD

 

On its 2nd session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the questions raised recently regarding the validity of prayers and fasting on basis of the current prayer timings effective in our beloved country, Jordan.

After deliberating, the Board arrived at the following resolution:

Allah, The Almighty, Enjoined prayers on Muslims at stated times where He Said {What means}: "For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times." {An-Nisa`,103}. This means that each prayer has its own particular time at which it must be performed. The Prophet (PBUH) has clarified when the time for each prayer starts and when its ends. On this basis, Muslims have worked hard, throughout the ages, to specify the timings of prayers, so they relied on Azan (Call to prayer) in performing prayers.

The same method was observed in Jordan until recent decades. A detailed annual calendar of prayer times for different parts of the Kingdom is issued by the Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places. Mou`azins adhere to it and it observes evidence from Sharia and astronomical signs. Moreover, this calendar, which is supervised by a special department of the Ministry, is based on detailed studies and forecasts carried out by several committees in the past. These studies were included in a detailed, independent and printed book that could be checked at any time.

Therefore, the Iftaa` Board confirms that following this calendar avails a person in terms of the validity of their acts of worship, God willing, and whoever adheres to it is on the safe side as far as fulfilling the conditions validating prayer and fasting are concerned. Accordingly, it is impermissible to circulate rumors via social media to make people doubt the validity of their acts of worship and the pillars of their faith. 

On this occasion, the Board highly commends the tremendous efforts exerted by the Ministry of Awqf in this regard. It prays that Allah, The Almighty, Accepts acts of worship from all Muslims, and that He, The Exalted, Teaches us the wisdom behind worship as well as the higher objectives of Sharia (Maqasid Al-Sharia). And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh

Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh, Member

Prof. Abdulnaser Abulbasal,  Member

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa, Member

Dr. Majid Darawsheh, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

 

  

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on eating from one`s Udhiyah?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) is divided into two categories: the vowed sacrifice (Al-Mandhurah) and the voluntary sacrifice (Al-Tatawwu').
 
First: The Vowed Sacrifice (Al-Mandhurah)
This refers to a sacrifice that has become strictly obligatory due to a formal vow (Nadr). It is completely impermissible for the person offering it, or any members of their family whom they are financially obligated to maintain, to eat any of its meat or fat. Furthermore, it is unlawful for them to personally benefit from its hide, wool, or any other part of it. If they happen to eat any portion of it, the offerer is legally obligated to give an equivalent amount of meat or its monetary value to charity. (As noted in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj by Imam Ibn Hajar al-Haytami,Vol. 9/P.364).
 
Second: The Voluntary Sacrifice (Al-Tatawwu’)
This is a recommended, non-obligatory sacrifice. The person offering it is fully permitted to eat from its meat, distribute portions as charity to the poor, and give pieces as gifts to those who are well-off. However, it remains a mandatory requirement to donate at least a minor portion of it to charity; this should not be less than approximately half a kilogram of raw, uncooked meat. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What is the ruling on the prayer of the individual following the imam whose prayer is broadcasted via television?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Among the conditions for the validity of following an Imam (Sihhat al-Iqtida’) is that the Imam and the follower (Ma’mum) must be in the same location. Therefore, the prayer of one who follows an Imam whose prayer is being broadcast via television from a distant location is not valid. However, if the follower is with the Imam in the same mosque, the prayer is valid. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What are the categories of the livestock permissible for Udhiyah?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
An Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) is only valid if it is selected from Al-An'am (livestock), which includes: camels, cattle, and sheep or goats—whether male or female, and even if castrated. Allah Almighty says {what means}: "And for all religion We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice] that they may mention the name of Allah over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] livestock." (Al-Hajj/ 34)
 
In terms of preference, camels are considered the best choice, followed by cattle, then sheep, and finally goats.
A single sheep or goat is valid as a sacrifice on behalf of one person. However, a single camel or cow can be shared by up to seven people. This is based on the narration of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: "In the year of Al-Hudaybiyah, we sacrificed along with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) a camel on behalf of seven people, and a cow on behalf of seven people." (Narrated by Muslim)
 
(Note: The term "Badanah" used in the original Arabic text specifically refers to a camel in this context). And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

What is the wisdom behind the legislation of fasting?

Fasting is a divine school from which the believer learns much and trains in virtues that may be needed in life. Among these virtues is patience, as it is the month of patience. Fasting also teaches honesty and consciousness of Allah in both private and public, for there is no observer over the fasting person in abstaining from lawful pleasures except Allah alone.
Fasting strengthens willpower, sharpens determination, and nurtures mercy and compassion among the servants of Allah. It is a struggle against the self, a restraint of desires, a purification of the soul, and a cultivation of goodness.
The Prophetﷺ said: "Allah, the Almighty, said: ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except for fasting; it is for Me, and I shall reward for it. Fasting is a shield. So when one of you is fasting on a day, let him not engage in obscene speech or raise his voice in anger. If someone insults him or fights him, let him say: I am a fasting person. By Him in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the breath of the fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the fragrance of musk.’" [Bukhari and Muslim]