Often time when on social media (i have stopped it now) i came across some sayings in which Allah's mercy is mentioned or in my house ayat - ul - kursi is adorned so when i called upon Allah i look at Allah's name and talk ofcourse i dont believe that the name itself is Allah but i look at it and talks to it considering that im talking to Allah is this kufr it did came to my head that people of disbelief do things like making idols and talking to it even when i started facing waswasas i did this but i thought its fine
Often time when on social media (i have stopped it now) i came across some sayings in which Allah's mercy is mentioned or in my house ayat - ul - kursi is adorned so when i called upon Allah i look at Allah's name and talk ofcourse i dont believe that the name itself is Allah but i look at it and talks to it considering that im talking to Allah is this kufr it did came to my head that people of disbelief do things like making idols and talking to it even when i started facing waswasas i did this but i thought its fine
I do not know whether it is kufr or not, but I think its still kinda wrong.
You may know that the name is not Allah itself...but somebody else does not know that. We muslims also have the duty to put the best example possible. What if somebody suddenly walks in and witnesses you talking to Allahs written name, making dua and stuff. if this person is ignorant enough he she might think that it is a common thing to do as muslims...or he even might think that it is a good idea and also starts doing the same...but with the difference that he does think Allah is manifested in the written name...or whatever...I guess you will understand the point I'm trying to make.
Even Umar b. Khattib was afraid people would think wrong when he kissed the hadjar asvad stone...so before kissing he said: "BY ALLAH. I AM KISSING WITH FULL CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A STONE AND THAT YOU CAN NEITHER DO ANY HARM NOR GOOD; and if I had not seen Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) kissing you. I would not have kissed you."
MUSLIM: Book 007, Number 2914
I do not know whether it is kufr or not, but I think its still kinda wrong.
You may know that the name is not Allah itself...but somebody else does not know that. We muslims also have the duty to put the best example possible. What if somebody suddenly walks in and witnesses you talking to Allahs written name, making dua and stuff. if this person is ignorant enough he she might think that it is a common thing to do as muslims...or he even might think that it is a good idea and also starts doing the same...but with the difference that he does think Allah is manifested in the written name...or whatever...I guess you will understand the point I'm trying to make.
Even Umar b. Khattib was afraid people would think wrong when he kissed the hadjar asvad stone...so before kissing he said: "BY ALLAH. I AM KISSING WITH FULL CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A STONE AND THAT YOU CAN NEITHER DO ANY HARM NOR GOOD; and if I had not seen Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) kissing you. I would not have kissed you."
MUSLIM: Book 007, Number 2914
This is an interesting way of looking at it. I never thought that anyone else could think of it that way, but it's a valid point. Thank you for your input.
What is your opinion on this scenario:
I am learning arabic and I love calligraphy and art. So I am combining the two and I am in the process of creating a few pictures for my home. I see it as a form of remembrance and to serve as a reminder or reflection of Allah to all that enter my home. Which is mostly just myself since I don't entertain anyone, but you never know. Since no one here speaks arabic, they'd be bound to stare and ask.
I haven't finished these paintings yet but they will include one of my favorites, hasbunallah
Given this context, would you hang the pictures up or leave them in the portfolio they're currently in? Or just dismiss the idea entirely?
This is an interesting way of looking at it. I never thought that anyone else could think of it that way, but it's a valid point. Thank you for your input.
What is your opinion on this scenario:
I am learning arabic and I love calligraphy and art. So I am combining the two and I am in the process of creating a few pictures for my home. I see it as a form of remembrance and to serve as a reminder or reflection of Allah to all that enter my home. Which is mostly just myself since I don't entertain anyone, but you never know. Since no one here speaks arabic, they'd be bound to stare and ask.
I haven't finished these paintings yet but they will include one of my favorites, hasbunallah
Given this context, would you hang the pictures up or leave them in the portfolio they're currently in? Or just dismiss the idea entirely?
Nothing wrong with that. You are allowed to hang paintings of Allahs name in your house...that is a good thing actually. You should totally go for that.
İt starts becoming a bad thing if you kneel down before it and deliberately start to pray towards it...as if it was Allah himself...kinda like Qweer described here.
A cross is not a statue of a person or animal...it is nothing more than a symbol...yet people managed to idolize that symbol...they kneel before it...talk to it...pray to it...
We do not want the same thing to happen to Allahs name.
İnitially, neither did İ think of it that way. İ started to realize it after reading this thread.
Very true. In the schools and kindergartens here they still have the cross in class, I know they still have to go to church at the beginning and end of the school year. So symbolism, yeah, I hear that
I had heard different opinions about pictures, paintings and other decorations. I don't want to purposely do something wrong. I don't like to be a hypocrite. Thank you very much for your input. I appreciate it.
May Allah forgive us and bless us all with a sound mind and good judgement
Very true. In the schools and kindergartens here they still have the cross in class, I know they still have to go to church at the beginning and end of the school year. So symbolism, yeah, I hear that
I had heard different opinions about pictures, paintings and other decorations. I don't want to purposely do something wrong. I don't like to be a hypocrite. Thank you very much for your input. I appreciate it.
May Allah forgive us and bless us all with a sound mind and good judgement
No I am sorry, I think you understood my message wrong. you should not quit making those paintings...that is a good thing...please do continue with it if you like doing that. you can even hang those paintings up in your home....also totally OK.
In a mosque you also find names of Allah and our prophet (pbuh) and that is also totally OK.
So do not change anything about that idea.
That what I said about symbols and idolizing applies for anything...a mountain, a piece of rock, a tree, fire, a picture of your ancestors, even objects like necklaces, lucky charmes...I would not even look suprised if mobile phones will be idolized some day...so basically everything...That doesn't mean you should ban everything out your life.
I actually get the decorative purpose part. It makes sense. Decorations tend to collect dust and just somehow disappear in plain sight. Or in extreme cases, until someone writes "clean me"
So to hang up something like this for the sole purpose of decoration, I understand that it's absolutely not okay.
Same goes for any charms or whatnot, that's absolutely understood. Eg. Hanging ayatul kursi and saying this is being hung up to protect my home: I don't think that's okay but please correct me if I am wrong.
The shirk elements aside, where is the line between decoration and remembrance? Intentions are prerequisite, but is that all? Probably not, right? I hope someone here can shed some light on this.
Example:
There's a picture in the hall and it contains words or even entire surahs or allahs name(s), etc.
Let's say something simple.... الحمد لله
A child stares at it, the parent explains it, child grows up remembering this, انشالله implementing what it has learned
A visitor, no knowledge of any kind about islam, arabic or Islamic teaching, questions the image and good conversation is then sparked. Best case, you've opened someone's eyes that islam is not what the media portrays
One's own self, in a mood of some sort, sees image, is reminded instantly and visually of their (re)actions and remembers to mind their tongue and just be thankful
Just examples but you get the point. Does that still classify the said الحمدلله as a decoration?
Summarized:
Hanging the names of Allah on your wall is NOT shirk...so it is not strictly forbidden.
However, neither it is recommended. the Prophet, nor the sahabas ever did it.
It has become something cultural...and therefore everyone is doing it.
But the risk of doing something wrong is pretty high. (for example, one of the situations decribed in Medico's post)
So bottom line
is it strictly forbidden: NO
is it recommended: Also NO
And with this...thank you medico for pointing out my mistake...I have learned something new today!!
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