WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN FIQH ACADEMY
The American Fiqh Academy is a collective of US-based Muslim jurisconsults dedicated to academic research on contemporary juristic matters facing the American Muslim community.
Thorough academic research on a single topic usually takes a few months before a resolution is passed and posted on the site. Please subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on social media for alerts on new resolutions. Topics for research are selected by the American Fiqh Academy members, and we do not answer general questions from the community.
Please contact your local scholars for personal questions.
LATEST ARTICLE
Zakat for Political Advocacy: A Misapplication of al-Muʾallafa Qulūbuhum
The Ummah is no stranger to difficulties and challenges. The past few years have been particularly heartbreaking, given the unspeakable pain and suffering inflicted upon our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Some have argued for the permissibility of giving zakat to politicians to fund their campaigns with the aim of positively influencing foreign policy — an argument that raises serious juristic objections.
LATEST RESOLUTIONS
Child Custody And Support
This resolution addresses two contentious issues within a spousal separation: child custody and child support. It clarifies and contextualizes these rules with discussions on legal custody, physical custody, best interests of the child, visitation rights, and financial responsibility toward children, as well as one’s personal responsibility if a court rules contrary to the Sharia.
Alimony
Alimony is spousal support from either gender that extends beyond the termination of the marriage. With statutes in all states, alimony forms a part of many Muslim divorce proceedings. This resolution addresses financial obligations for spousal support, securing rights through non-Muslim courts, and one’s personal responsibility if a court rules contrary to the Sharia.
Zakat on 401(k)
Approximately 79% of Americans work for an employer that offers a 401(k), and more than 60 million participate in such a plan, including many Muslims. This resolution establishes principles of differentiating between trade and investment assets and applies them to determine the ruling on zakat on 401(k). It also addresses whether penalty and taxes are valid debts for subtraction in a 401(k) zakat calculation.
