Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(257): "Conditions for Donating Organs"

Date Added : 15-05-2018

Resolution No.(257)(10 /2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Conditions for Donating Organs"

Date: 3/Sha`ban/1439 AH, corresponding to 19/4/2018 AD.

 

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.

During its fifth session held on the Above date, the Board reviewed the letter sent from His Excellency, Minister of Health, Dr. Mahmoud Ash-Shiab, and read as follows: I would like to bring to your Grace`s attention the fact that condition (3)-mentioned in Resolution No.(215), (5/2015), dated 21/Ramadan/1436 AH, corresponding to 8/7/2015 AD, issued by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies: "Conditions that Permit Kidney Donation", stated: "There should be no material benefit behind this donation, and this should be ascertained through the medical, legal, and supervisory bodies. They have the right to confine the donation in accordance with the degree of kinship that they see fit. This depends on the facts that they arrive at, and what they see fit for making benefit and warding off harm." This very condition wasn`t mentioned in the Board`s Resolution No.(166)(7/2011):"Ruling of Sharia on Donating Part of the Liver", dated: 26/8/1432 AH, corresponding to 28/7/2011 AD.

Does this condition apply on donating part of the liver and other organs?

Based on the above, could Your Grace discuss this matter with the Iftaa` Board in order to deliver the proper Fatwa in this regard, including any necessary conditions, so as for this Fatwa to become reliable. This in accordance with the provisions of Article No.(3/A/1) - Benefiting from organs law and its amendments - No.(23) /1977). See attached copy.

After deliberating, the Board decided:

Organ donation is amongst the recommended charitable deeds so long as the conditions of Sharia stipulated in this regard are met. This is because it saves patient`s lives and relieves their pains. Allah, The Almighty, Says in this regard {what means}: “and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” {Al-Mai`dah/32}.

The Sharia conditions in this regard are:

First: The donor should be competent, with making sure of his willingness to do so and that he isn`t being used; particularly if that person is a woman.

Second: It has been medically proven that the organ transplant is a success and useful to the patient, and that the donor`s health won`t be jeopardized, because the Sharia maxim states: “Harm shouldn`t be eliminated with a reciprocal harm.” Therefore, specialized expert doctors must be sure with certainty about the success of this procedure in every case.

Third: There should be no material benefit behind this donation, and this should be ascertained through the medical, legal, and supervisory bodies. They have the right to confine the donation in accordance with the degree of kinship that they see fit. This depends on the facts that they arrive at, and what they see fit for making benefit and warding off harm.

Fourth: All other treatments and medical procedures have been tested. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh

Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh, Member

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat, Member

Dr. Majid Darawsheh, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaz, Member

Judge Khalid Woraikat,    Member

Dr. Mohammad al-Zou`bi, Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

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 X-ray imaging while fasting in Ramadan?

X-ray imaging itself does not break the fast. However, if a person ingests a contrast agent or medication to enhance the imaging process through an open passage to the body cavity (jauf)—such as the mouth or rectum—then their fast is invalidated.

What is the ruling on fasting only on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?

In voluntary fasting (nafl), it is disliked (makruh) to fast only on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
However:
● If one fasts a day before or after Friday, then that is permissible.
● The same applies to Saturday and Sunday—fasting them along with another day removes the dislike.
● Fasting all three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) together is not disliked.
If any of these days coincide with a recommended fasting day, such as Arafah or Ashura, then fasting it alone is not disliked.

How does the person praying  perform the prostration (Sujud)?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is an act of Sunnah for the person praying to descend for prostration (Sujud) by placing their knees first, then placing their hands on the ground, and then placing their nose and forehead simultaneously. It is obligatory that the toes of the feet be on the ground, directed towards the Qibla. And Allah the Exalted knows best.