Questions:

Assalamualaikum Grandpa, I came across a shirt advertisement selling clothes but I saw that the design of the shirt sold was written with a verse of a chair that was not scribbled. In addition, the dots and lines in the verse are also omitted. What is the opinion of Datuk and asatizah regarding such acts? Please enlighten. Thank you.

Summary of Answers:

The origin of the ruling for the writing of the Quranic verse on any item or place is permissible if the sanctity of the Quranic verse is preserved. However, patterning and decorating the dress with the writing of the Quranic verse can lead to insult to this sacred word as it is prone to the garment being placed or used for improper purposes. Therefore, designing and patterning clothes with the writing of the Quranic verse should be avoided.

Description Answer:

Alhamdulillah praise be to Allah SWT, the Lord of the Worlds. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his companions and those who follow in his footsteps until the Day of Resurrection.

The verse of the chair is part of the passage of the Quranic verse which is a noble kalamullah and it is the responsibility of the Muslims to preserve and respect its purity.In the writing of al-Quran rasm Uthmani, the verse of the Quran is written complete with lines, dots and waqf as well as ibtida' to preserve the glory of the Quran in terms of its precise nature, words and manner of recitation. This is as stated by Imam al-Nawawi regarding the ruling of placing lines and dots in the mushaf of the Quran:

ويستحب نقط المصحف وشكله فانه صيانة من اللحن فيه وتصحيفه

"It is encouraged to put dots and lines on the mushaf to avoid reading and pronunciation errors"

(Refer al-Tibyan fi Adab Hamalat al-Quran: pg 189)

Referring to the above statement, it is clear that scholars place great emphasis on a matter related to the Quran in order to protect this scripture from any contaminating elements.

Therefore, the act of making the writing of the Quran as a pattern of clothing either in the condition of a complete verse or in a state of discardment or divorce of letters is an act that exposes the verses of the Quran to contempt. Thus, the Islamic religion prohibits any form of insult to the holy verse of the Quran including the act of scribbling the verses of the Quran on clothing. This prohibition is stated by Imam al-Nawawi in his book al-Majmuk:

وَأَجْمَعُوا على ان من ‌استخف ‌بالقرآن أو بشئ مِنْهُ أَوْ بِالْمُصْحَفِ أَوْ أَلْقَاهُ فِي قَاذُورَةٍ أو كذب بشئ مِمَّا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ حُكْمٍ أَوْ خَبَرٍ أَوْ نَفَى مَا أَثْبَتَهُ أَوْ أَثْبَتَ مَا نفاه أو شك في شئ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَهُوَ عَالِمٌ بِهِ كَفَرَ

"The scholars agree that whoever humbles the Qur'an or whatever is in it, puts it in a dirty place, lies with what comes from it whether it is ruling and news or denying what is permissible by allowing what is denied and doubting something from it when he knows that he is disbelieved."

(Refer al-Majmuk Syarh al-Muhazzab:2/170)

Referring to the above explanation, it is clear that there is a prohibition on insulting the Quran and even scholars judge infidelity for those who deliberately insult and make fun of the Quran. Furthermore, placing the Quranic writings on clothing will make these holy words vulnerable to things that can contaminate their sanctity such as being worn by a person who is limited and placed or carried in an inappropriate place. This is against the statement of Allah SWT:

لَّا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ

"Which is not touched except by the unacknowledged creatures of the holy clean."

(Surah al-Waqiah 79)

Therefore, the verse of the Quran which is or better known as kalamullah has its own glory. Hence, it is the responsibility of every individual Muslim to preserve the holy verse of the Quran from being tainted with elements of insult.

Conclusion

The origin of the ruling for the writing of the verse of the Quran on any item or should be preserved in the sanctity of the Quranic verse. However, patterning and decorating the dress with the writing of the Quranic verse can lead to insult to this holy word. Therefore, the ruling of making designs and patterning clothes with the writing of the Quranic verse should be avoided.

Wallahu A'lam.

Reference:

 Al-Nawawi, Yahya bin Syarf. (1994). Al-Tibyan fi Adab Hamalat al-Quran. Tahkik: Muhammad al-Hajar. Ed 3, Beirut: Dar Ibn Hazm. p. 190.

أجمع المسلمون على وجوب صيانة المصحف واحترامه

Al-Nawawi, Yahya bin Sharf. (1431H). al-Majmuk Syarh al-Muhazzab. Cairo: Idarah al-Taba'ah al-Muniriah.

Sumber : Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan - AL-KAFI #1980: HUKUM MENCORAK TULISAN AYAT AL-QURAN PADA PAKAIAN UNTUK DIJUAL (muftiwp.gov.my)

Date of Input: 26/02/2024 | Updated: 26/02/2024 | asmunir