Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No. (266) "Ruling on Renting Mosque`s Roof"

Date Added : 30-12-2018

Resolution No. (266) (20/2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies: "Ruling on Renting Mosque`s Roof"

Date: (05/Rabi` Rabīʿ al-Awwal/1440 AH), corresponding to (13/12/2018)

 

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 fourteenth session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the letter of His Excellency Minister of Awqaf Islamic Affairs and Holy Places (No.3/2/346-5/11/2018). It read as follows: I would like to bring to Your Grace`s attention the fact that the Awqaf Council has reviewed the request submitted for investing the roof and yards of Huthayfah Ibn Al-Yaman`s Mosque (Tabaraboor). Ad-Dar Darak Restaurant will install a solar system there for a period of twenty-five years in return for an annual payment. However, the Ministry of Awqaf will be the sole owner of that system and it won`t affect the mosque`s solar panels. Could you clarify the ruling of Sharia on this so that the Awqaf Council takes the proper decision in light of it? 

After deliberating, the Iftaa` Board arrived at the following resolution:

There is no harm in renting the roof of that mosque for installing solar power generators where the rent money is steered to the benefit of the mosque. This is provided that this project doesn`t prevent people from performing prayers since Sharia neither hinders a well-established interest nor whatever helps visit and maintain the mosques of Allah. The important thing, here, is that the Waqf (Endowment) maintains serving the purpose for which it was endowed in the first place and that no harm is inflicted upon the praying people and other worshippers. The proof of this is that it was reported that some Hanafi jurisprudents said, "It is allowed to rent the roof of a mosque to use the rent money for its maintenance."{Al-Bahar Al-Raa`iq}.

 

Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,
Grand Mufti of Jordan,
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh
Sheikh Abdulkareem AlKhasawneh/ Member
Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi/ Member
Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaaz/ Member
Dr. Muhammad Khair Al-Issa/ Member
Dr. Majid Al-Darawsheh/ Member
Prof. Adam Noah/ Member
Judge. Khaled Al-Worikat/ Member
Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member
Dr. Rashaad Al-Khilaani

Decision Number [ Previous | Next ]


Summarized Fatawaa

What is the expiation for breaking fast due to being on a journey, or being sick, or being in a state of menstruation?

No expiation is due on the aforesaid categories, but they are obliged to make up for the missed fast. However, if any of them failed to do so while being able to, and the next Ramadhaan has come, then making up for those days is incumbent on him/her , and paying the ransom as well. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it permissible to offer Salah (prayer) on behalf of the sick who is on his/her death bed, and is incapable of offering it?

It`s impermissible to offer Salah on behalf of the sick, or the dead.

We collect funds from mosques and other sources, saying: "For the poor, the needy, widows, orphans, and those who do not beg insistently." After paying the stipends of the families registered with the Zakat Committee, an amount exceeding 6,000 dinars remained. Is it permissible for me to save it for upcoming months when I may not be able to collect the stipends?

These funds are received by the committee as representatives of the zakat payers to deliver zakat to those entitled to it. It is well-known that delaying zakat while being able to pay it is not permissible. Imam Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Zakat must be paid immediately if one is able to do so, by the presence of wealth and the eligible categories." [Al-Minhaj] Therefore, the committee must distribute the zakat to the eligible recipients without installment payments or using it to purchase material goods for them, as the committee does not have authority over the poor to allocate it in this way. And Allah Knows Best.

I work at a company that provides cash advances of 800 dinars, 1000 dinars, or 1200 dinars, depending on the employee’s years of service. An administrative fee of 40 dinars is deducted from the amount in the first month, and the remaining amount is repaid in installments. What is the ruling on this, knowing that the deducted amount (40 dinars) is fixed?

We fear that the deducted amount may be a means of circumventing interest (Riba). If the deducted amount is equal to or less than the actual administrative expenses, then there is no issue, as some scholars permit the borrower to bear the costs of documenting and managing the loan. However, piety suggests refraining from taking this loan under these conditions, as dealing with private individuals and companies is not the same as dealing with the state, which spends from the public treasury. And Allah Knows Best.