The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, holding its twenty-sixth session in Doha, State of Qatar, on 6-10 Dhūl-Qi’dah 1446H (4–8 May 2025),
HAVING EXAMINED the research papers submitted to the Academy concerning Istishāb (Legal Presumption of Continuity) and Its Applications in Contemporary Issues and Emerging Matters,
HAVING LISTENED to the in-depth discussions on the subject,
RESOLVES
First: Istishāb is affirming a ruling on a certain matter in a subsequent time based on its ruling in a previous time, in the absence of evidence requiring any change.
Second: Istishāb is a legitimate legal evidence which does not create a new ruling but affirms the continuity of a previous ruling.
Third: A jurist derives the ruling of a given case through Istishāb, whether in affirmation or negation. If there is doubt about its cessation, the presumption is that it remains; and if there is doubt about its existence, the presumption is its non-existence.
Fourth: Istishāb holds significant importance in juristic reasoning (ijtihād) across many contemporary issues, including acts of worship, financial transactions, personal matters, Islamic policy, the judiciary, and other aspects of life.
Fifth: Conditions for applying Istishāb:
1. The jurist must be reasonably certain that there is no evidence or cause negating the original state being presumed to continue, after exerting full effort in investigation and research.
2. Observance of the general and specific objectives (maqāsid) of the Shari’ah, as adherence to these objectives in all their forms is obligatory; they are the purposes and goals for which the rulings were legislated.
3. Like other sources of Islamic legal evidence, istishāb may only be applied to actual cases by those qualified for ijtihad, who are well-versed in the principles of legal derivation and who apply due diligence in verification and deliberation.
Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing.
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Secretary‑General of the Academy Visits the Consulate General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan His Excellency Professor Dr. Qutb Mustafa Sano, Secretary‑General of the Academy, paid an official visit on 29 Sha‘ban 1447 AH, corresponding to 17 February 2026, to the Consulate General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Jeddah. His Excellency and his accompanying delegation were received by His Excellency Ambassador Mohammed Salah Sobhi Hameed, Consul General and Permanent Representative of Jordan to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, who welcomed him warmly and expressed his pleasure at the visit. He praised the distinguished intellectual efforts undertaken by the Academy under His Excellency’s leadership in addressing numerous religious and intellectual issues of concern to the Islamic world, affirming his personal honor in meeting His Excellency again and Jordan’s keenness to strengthen channels of communication and cooperation with the Academy, especially in areas of mutual interest. For his part, His Excellency expressed his deep gratitude and great appreciation to the Ambassador for the warm reception and generous hospitality. He commended the tremendous support, gracious care, and continuous attention the Academy has received from the leadership and people of Jordan since its establishment. He also conveyed his sincere appreciation for the Ambassador’s recent visit to the Academy, affirming the Academy’s full readiness to do everything that would enhance partnership, cooperation, coordination, and communication between the Academy and Jordanian religious and academic institutions. His Excellency was accompanied by Mr. Mohammed Al‑Mundhir Rida Al‑Shawk, Director of the Office and Protocol; Mr. Mohammed Waleed Al‑Idrisi, Director of Media and Public Relations; Ms. Sarah Amjad Badawi, Director of the Department of Family, Women, Children, and the Elderly; and Mr. Amjad Ibrahim Al‑Mansi, Head of the Protocol Section.
