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Selling ornaments that have Quran or Allaah's names on them

Question

Assalaamu alaykum. There is a muslim online shop that sell islamic things. Some of the things that they sell, both for men and women, are necklaces, bracelets with Allaah's name or Ayat Al-Kursi and necklaces with a small bottle of Zamzam water and Ayat Al-Kursi written on the bottle. Is it haram to sell this? And is it haram to wear it? Some people might use them with an intention that constitutes polytheism - that it protects against they evil eye and so on. May Allaah reward you for your answer and please give a personal answer so that I can send this fatwa to the owner of the shop.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

What you mentioned about the online shop that sells ornaments that are worn for beauty, on which perhaps Quranic verses are written, then the answer for this is in the following:

Selling what is used as ornaments for men and women is permissible in principle. But it is not permissible to sell the lawful ornament to whomever is going to use it in a forbidden manner, such as selling a gold ring for men to wear or selling bracelets and necklaces for men, if the seller knows the intention of the buyer. If the seller does not know the intention of the buyer, then the basic ruling remains that it is permissible, and it is not an obligation to investigate the matter.

As for the ruling on men wearing necklaces or bracelets, then we have already clarified this issue in fatwa 89084. In that same fatwa, we also clarified the ruling on wearing something on which Quranic verses are written in order to repel the evil eye or for seeking blessing, as this is an issue upon which there is a difference of opinion among the scholars - whether or not these are considered forbidden amulets. Nonetheless, it is better to avoid this so that this would not lead to forbidden amulets that involve polytheism, even if some scholars hold the view that there is nothing wrong with them. Ibn Muflih said, “Necklaces on which the Quran or other Thikr (remembrance of Allaah) is written are permissible, and it is permissible to hang them; this is stated by Imaam Ahmad  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him.

In any case, if someone wears them based on the opinion that they are permissible, then he must protect them from being humiliated, as Allaah says (what means): {And whoever honors the symbols of Allaah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.} [Quran 22:32]

It was reported that when the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, entered the place of relieving himself, he would take his ring off as it was engraved with, “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah;” this was narrated by At-Tirmithi, Ibn Maajah, Abu Daawood, An-Nasaa’i, al-Haakim and Ibn Hibbaan, but many scholars considered this narration as weak. Nonetheless, the previous verse is evidence for whoever does so.

Also, Ibn Abi Shaybah reported that 'Ikrimah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said, “When Ibn Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him entered the toilet, he would give me his ring.

Nonetheless, some scholars do not hold the view that this is disliked; rather, they see that one should cover his ring, as Ibn Abi Shaybah reported that 'Ikrimah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said, “If a man enters the toilet while he has a ring on which the mention of Allaah is written, then he should turn the ring into the palm of his hand and cover it with his fingers.

Allaah Knows best.

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