Writing Ayahs on placards

Q: Due to the great development achieved in the field of informational communication through prints, posters, hangings, radio and television broadcasting, we are now seeking Allah’s Help in producing certain patterns in the plastic factory that we manage to contribute in reminding people of the Words of Allah (Exalted be He). Allah (Exalted be He) granted us success in producing patterns for placards bearing some Ayahs, the Magnificent Names of Allah, and some Hadiths. (Part No. 4; Page No. 55) The plastic placards that I am referring to cannot be used for any purposes other than reminders to people. Their nature makes them unusable for drinking or eating because they are covered with a silver layer and colored paints that make using them for eating and drinking impossible. Moreover, they cannot be hung around the neck or worn on the hand. They also cannot be treated or thrown with negligence. They have an outer rough layer and their letters are pointed. These specifications make its owner hang them in an honorable and protected place.We have found the Christians very well versed in the field of publishing, edification, and information. They propagate any thoughts or beliefs they want through modern means. The most important of these means are posters and hangings that are hoisted on placards in the streets, buses, and public and private places. They desire by this to constantly remind people by repeating these concepts before their eyes everywhere to implant them into their minds. These concepts are not more than crusading ideas, atheistic thoughts, and corrupted morals. We seek Allah’s Protection against all these evils. They convince people to believe in these corrupted beliefs and atheistic thoughts through using these modern and powerful means. Muslims are more worthy of reminding people of the Words of Allah (Exalted and Glorified be He) and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him) through using these powerful and modern means of edification and information.Allah has guided me to make my products bear the Words of Allah (Exalted be He) and (Part No. 4; Page No. 56) the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him) in order to make them appear continuously and successively in honorable places before people’s eyes. This will help remind people of what Allah has ordained for them: But warn by the Qur’an; him who fears My Threat. I contribute my best to raise Allah’s Words high and spread Islamic thought in order to help it triumph over all other thoughts. Allah Alone is the One Who grants success.

A: Allah (Exalted be He) has revealed the Qur’an as an admonition, warning, and healing for the ills of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) and deviation from the truth within hearts. Allah has also made it guidance for people in their worship and dealings. Allah (Exalted be He) bestows His Mercy upon the believers who recite it as it should be recited, abide by it and work accordingly in all affairs. Allah (Exalted be He) says: O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Qur’ân, enjoining all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that (disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and differences) which is in your breasts, - a guidance and a mercy (explaining lawful and unlawful things) for the believers. And: And We send down of the Qur’ân that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islâmic Monotheism and act on it), and it increases the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) nothing but loss. And: Say: “It is for those who believe, a guide and a healing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it (the Qur’ân) is blindness for them. They are those who are called from a place far away (so they neither listen nor understand).” The authentic Prophetic Hadiths came as an interpretation of the Qur’an, a guidance for people, and a clarification of the rulings. (Part No. 4; Page No. 57) Therefore, people refer to them to understand the Book of Allah and contemplate the meanings of Ayahs. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And We have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) the Dhikr [reminder and the advice (i.e. the Qur’ân)], that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought. And: Surely, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) the Book (this Qur’ân) in truth that you might judge between men by that which Allâh has shown you (i.e. has taught you through Divine Revelation), so be not a pleader for the treacherous. Allah (Exalted be He) has named Himself with the Magnificent Names to make His servants aware of His Attributes. They have to believe in these Names and the absolute perfection and majesty they denote. They also have to praise Allah with the best praise and to supplicate to Him with these Names in times of prosperity and adversity out of fear and hope. They have to realize these Names in beliefs and actions and keep them in letter and spirit. They should not distort them or change their meanings. Allah says: And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allâh, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Allah has ninety-nine Names, whoever learns them will enter Paradise. The word "learns" means to implement them in beliefs, words and actions, and to preserve their sacredness and obligations.Allah has ordered us to inform and convey the Message of Islam. (Part No. 4; Page No. 58) The Prophet (peace be upon him) conveyed and clarified the Message by words and deeds. He (peace be upon him) used to deliver speeches to his Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them) and constantly admonish and remind them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) sent letters to kings and rulers to call them to Islam. He (peace be upon him) used to visit disbelievers in their assemblies and meetings to convey to them the religion of Islam.It was not reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) ever wrote an Ayah, Hadith, or any of Allah’s Names on placards or plates to be hung on walls or ways for the sake of decoration or Tabarruk (seeking blessings), or as a means of reminding, informing, warning, or admonishing. The Rightly-Guided Caliphs and the rest of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) followed the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in this regard. Imams from among the Salaf (righteous predecessors), whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) testified to their being the best generations of Islam that will come after him, followed the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Sahabah. They did not write any part of the Qur’an, Hadiths, or the Magnificent Names of Allah on placards, slates, or pieces of cloth in order to hang them on walls for the sake of decoration or admonition. They did not do so even after the dissemination of Islam, the spread of Islamic culture in other countries, the multitude of books that were issued, and the various available means of information. They did not do this although they were more knowledgeable of Islam and its objectives and keener to spread and propagate it. Had it been lawful to do this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have pointed it out for us and the Sahabah and the Imams of guidance would have also worked accordingly. Therefore, writing anything from the Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), (Part No. 4; Page No. 59) or the Magnificent Names of Allah on placards, plates and the like for the sake of decoration, or remembrance and admonition, is not permissible. Moreover, if these means are used for the sake of promoting trade and merchandise and enticing people to buy them in order to increase one’s profits and wealth, this will be a deviation from the honorable purposes of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Doing so contradicts the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and the exemplary conduct of the Sahabah and the Imams of the Salaf (may Allah be pleased with them). This may also expose them to insult with the passage of the days, especially when moving from one house or place to another, or when they are carried or touched by a Junub (person in a state of post-sexual ritual impurity) or a menstruating woman.Muslims must well realize the holiness of the Qur’an and venerate it the way it should be venerated. They must keep their goals before their eyes and consider the Qur’an and the Sunnah as a lighthouse with which they seek guidance. Therefore, those who violate the purposes of Islamic legislation should beware, lest trial strike them or a painful punishment. Anyone who believes in the Qur’an, the Magnificent Names of Allah, and the Hadiths of the Prophet (peace be upon him) should seek guidance and blessings from Allah through reciting, reflecting, and understanding His Glorious Book. They have to know the interpretation of the Qur’an through reading the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and to work accordingly in worship and life dealings. If they do so, Allah will bestow on them material and spiritual blessings out of His Bounty, reward them generously, and protect them in all affairs. All these aims cannot be sought in violation of the guidance of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) by hanging such objects on walls and the like. (Part No. 4; Page No. 60) Moreover, we should not imitate the disbelievers from among Christians and others in anything that contradicts the Law of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He).For the above-mentioned reasons, the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ holds the view that it is not permissible to give access to such plates to Saudi Arabia. It believes that a Muslim is not allowed to manufacture such plates. The Permanent Committee prohibits such things for the sake of protecting the sanctity of the Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and the Magnificent Names and Attributes of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.