37,906 Fatwa issued by IACAD during the second quarter of 2019

Dubai, 8 August, 2019:  The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD) issued 37,906 oral Fatwa through Ifta department of IACAD during the second quarter of 2019. As many as 171 visitors wishing to obtain Fatwa on various subjects were received, and a special team of 16 muftis (males and females) answered questions about various religious, jurisprudential and Sharia topics. 

The data issued by the Ifta department for the second quarter of 2019 indicates that 12,831 questions were raised, accounting for about 34% of the total queries. The number of questions on general matters reached 6,314, which is 16.6% of the total, while queries related to Dunya issues (day-to-day operations) reached 5,040, accounting for 13.2% of the entire count.

The remainder of the oral Fatwa presented by the department during this period focused on issues of the Holy Quran and Hadith, Aqidah, family issues, Ayman (plural of Yamin: swearing by one of the Names or attributes of Allah) and An-Nuthur (Plural of An-Nathr: an oath to Allah by which one commits oneself to do any good deed voluntarily, such as fasting a certain number of days or charity.  It is obligatory to fulfil one's Nathr.), sacrificing the animals and Aqiqah, and Mirath (inheritance).

Dr. Omar Al Khatib, Executive Director of the Islamic Affairs at IACAD, pointed to the importance of the validity of the Fatwa. He also noted that Fatwa is the responsibility of the religious, jurisprudential and Sharia scholars in the department and degree holders from major universities in the Arab and Islamic world. 

Dr. Al Khatib said: “It is important that IACAD plays an essential role in providing Fatwa based on religious and jurisprudential principles and contributes to spreading the principles of moderate Islam among all Muslims. We have to do this while educating Non-Muslims that the values of Islam are based on tolerance and co-existence, in order to combat the destructive and extremist ideology that has nothing to do with our religion.'

Dr. Ahmed Abdul Aziz Al Haddad, Director of Ifta department, said: “Ifta department provides its services through its various communication channels such as IACAD’s website, email, face-to-face meetings, mail, radio and TV programs, as well as a 18-hour-a-day toll-free phone line. Ifta department has also been keen to provide special phone lines for women where female muftis answer their queries, whether they are UAE citizens or other nationalities residing in the country. Furthermore, we ensure that we answer the online Fatwa within 72 hours.”

According to the Ifta department, 27,722 oral Fatwa were answered during the first quarter of this year, accounting for an increase of 36.7% on a quarterly basis. IACAD received 338 visitors at its offices asking for Fatwa during the first half of 2019 - 167 during the first quarter and 171 during the second. 

Law No. (2) of 2011 in Dubai recognized IACAD as the competent authority to issue fatwa in the Emirate and may authorize specialized scholars to issue fatwa in worships, transactions and special cases. IACAD is specialized in organizing, supervising, and issuing Fatwa, as well as granting work permits to preachers, Khatib (orators), Imams, teachers and Mu'adh-dhin (Those who call the Adhaan) and supervising religious programs in the emirate.