Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(289): "Sighting the Crescent Moon of the Month of Shawwal"

Date Added : 28-05-2020

Resolution No.(289) (9 /2020) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies: 

"Sighting the Crescent Moon of the Month of Shawwal"

Date:(29/Ramadan/1441 H), corresponding to (22/5/2020).

 

 

On its seventh session held on the above date, the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies reviewed sighting the crescent of  the month of Shawwal for this year (1441) based on the astronomical calculations conducted by the Crescents Committee of the General Iftaa` Department.

After deliberating, the Board decided the following:

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Almighty Allah Says (What means): "A token unto them is night. We strip it of the day, and lo! they are in darkness.And a Sign for them is the Night: We withdraw therefrom the Day, and behold they are plunged in darkness;And the sun runs his course for a period determined for him: that is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, The All-Knowing. And the Moon,- We have measured for her mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk.is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law)." {Ya-Sin, 37-40}. He, The Exalted, also Says (What means): "(He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful." {Al-Baqarah/185}. In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) says: "The fast is the day the people fast, the breaking of the fast is the day the people break their fast." {At-Tirmithi}.

Based on the findings-which were harmonious with the astronomical calculations-of the Crescent Sighting Committee of the General Iftaa Department and the concerned authorities, it was ascertained to the Board that tomorrow, Saturday will be the first of Shawwal for this year: (1441 H), and so it is the first day of the Eid of Fitr.

Accordingly, the Board is pleased to extend the warmest of 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 and the Arab and Muslim Nation. It asks Allah to accept our fast and night prayers and shower our beloved Jordan as well as the Muslim world with peace, security, stability and blessings. We pray that Allah, The Almighty, Accepts our acts of devotion and Erases our sins. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

 

 Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Abdulkareem al-Khasawneh

Dr. Ahmad al-Hasanat, Member

Dr. Mohammad al-Khalayleh

Dr. Mahmoud al-Sartawi, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Judge Khalid Woraikat, Member

Dr. Majed al-Darawsheh, Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member

Prof. Adam Nooh Al-Qhodaat/Member

Dr. Amjad Rasheed/Member

Dr. Jamil Khatatbeh/Member

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to combine and shorten prayers at home before traveling?

It is impermissible to combine and shorten prayers at home before traveling because a person is called a traveler once he/she departs the borders of his/her country, and offering prayer that way was originally intended to exempt a traveler. And Allah Knows Best.

My father has debts and asked me to repay them years ago, and I promised him I would do so upon his death — is it permissible for me to go back on my promise given that I am unable to repay them, especially since he refuses to contribute to repayment on the grounds that the debt has become my responsibility by virtue of my promise?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The established principle is that a father's debt is to be repaid from his own wealth, if he possesses sufficient means. As for the promise made by the son to repay it on his father's behalf, fulfilling such a promise is strongly recommended, and breaking it is considerably disliked. Shaykh al-Islām Imām al-Nawawī, may Allah have mercy upon him, states: "Fulfilling a promise is emphatically recommended, and breaking it is severely disliked. The evidences for this from the Qurʾān and the Sunnah are well known." [Rawḍat al-Ṭālibīn,Vol. 2/P.278] Shaykh al-Islām Imām Zakariyyā al-Anṣārī, may Allah have mercy upon him, further states: "The reason fulfilling a promise is not obligatory and breaking it is not forbidden is that a promise is in the nature of a gift, and a gift does not become binding except upon receipt." [Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib,Vol. 2/P.487]
Given that the son does not possess the financial means to fulfil his promise to his father, breaking this promise falls beyond his capacity — and Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. Since the father himself possesses sufficient wealth to settle his own debt, repayment must be made from his own funds. Should he pass away before doing so, the debt is to be settled from his estate. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the waiting period ('Iddah) for a woman whose husband has passed away, and what is the ruling on her wearing gold?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The waiting period ('Iddah) for a woman whose husband has passed away is four months and ten days for one who is not pregnant. As for a pregnant woman, her waiting period lasts until she gives birth. It is obligatory for her to remain in the marital home, only leaving for a necessity. During this time, it is prohibited (Haram) to display any form of adornment on the body or clothing; this includes wearing kohl, gold, all types of perfume, and dyeing the hair. Likewise, it is prohibited to receive a direct marriage proposal or to marry during this period.
 
It was narrated by Umm 'Atiyyah that the Prophet ﷺ said: 'We were forbidden to mourn for a deceased person for more than three days, except for a husband, for whom the mourning period is four months and ten days. During this time, we were not to use kohl, nor wear perfume, nor wear dyed clothing except for garments made of 'Asb (coarsely dyed yarn). We were, however, granted a concession at the time of purification—when one of us bathed following her menses—to use a small amount of Kust (costus) or Azfar (fragrant substances). We were also forbidden from following funeral processions.' (Narrated by Al-Bukhari). And Allah the Exalted knows best."

What is the ruling on performing ablution (wudu') and ritual bathing (ghusl) with Zamzam water?

It is permissible to perform ablution and ritual bathing with Zamzam water. However, scholars disliked using it for cleaning after relieving oneself (istinja'). And Allah the Almighty knows best.