Advanced search
Visit
10905
Last Updated: 2011/11/21
Summary of question
What is the Islamic law about touching the name "Allah" in different languages without Wudhu? What is the ruling about touching the word "Israel" (which means Abdullah)?
question
1. Is there any problem in touching God's name without Wudhu? What if the name is written in any language other than Arabic?
2. Keeping in view that the word "Israel" means God's servant and the word God is mentioned in it, albeit in a non-Arabic language, is it necessary to touch it with Wudhu? Sometimes, this word is painted by people on roads to protest against Israel, is it not haram to step on it intentionally?
3. If a word means "God" in one society and the same word means something else in another society, how should one go about it? What is the Islamic law in this regard?
4. If a person's name is Habibullah, should he touch his own name with Wudhu? Does the rule concerning holy names apply to his name?
Concise answer

It is haraam, as an obligatory precaution, to touch the Name of Allah, without Wudhu, in whichever language it may have been written. And it is also haraam to touch, without Wudhu, the blessed names of the Holy Prophet of Islam, the holy Imams and Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be upon them). [1]   As for names which contain the name "Allah" (either as a prefix or as a suffix) like "Habibullah", there is problem (Ishkaal) in touching "Allah" without Wudhu? [2]

However, the word "Israel' in Hebrew means someone who under God's control, contrivance and servitude. Thus, it gives a meaning close to "Abdullah" in Arabic. [3] In any case, the word "Israel" [4] is the title of Ya'qub son of Isaac son of Ibrahim. It is necessary to respect this word in ordinary situations and when the word is considered all by itself. However, since this name is the standard for combat against Islam and it is a sign of animosity with Muslims, therefore, there is no objection in touching it and stepping on it deliberately to condemn and protest the enemies of Islam. [5]

In regards to the foregoing questions, Ayatollah Mahdi Hadavi Tehrani's view is as under:

Answer 1: It is haraam to disrespect God. Therefore, if a person does an action which is considered to be disrespectful and an insult to God, it is haraam.  But if an action does not have such an implication and the person doing it does not have such an intention, it is permissible. Therefore, if a person touches God's name without intending any insult and it is not considered as an insult by people either, it is permissible, thought it is makrooh and the precaution is to avoid doing such an act. The position is the same with names of prophets, the Imams and Fatima Zahra (peace be upon them).

Answer 2, 3, 4: The answer to these questions can be obtained from the answer to the first question. Of course, in regards to the third question, it should be noted that the criterion is the Urf (custom) of the wise or the custom of the same society in which this action takes place.



[1] - Tawzih al-Masial (with annotation by Imam Khomeini), vol.1, pg. 187; extracted from question 19034 (site: 18453) , Index: Touching the Script of the Quran without Wudhu.

[2] - Ajwebat al-Isteftaat (Farsi Answers to Religious Questions), pg. 31, Question 152:  What is the Islamic law about touching names like "Abdullah" and "Habibullah"?  Answer: It is not permissible to touch the word "Allah" without Wudhu even if it makes a part of a compound name.

[3] - Al-Tahqiq fi Kalimat al-Qur'an, vol.1, pg. 84,

 "أنّ معنى هذه الکلمة فی اللغة العبریّة یطابق ما قلنا فی مادّة أسر من العربیّة، فمعنى إسرائیل: من یکون تحت النظر و التوقیف و التدبیر و الأسر من اللّه تعالى، و هذا المعنى قریب من کلمة عبد اللّه."

[4] - See: Ali Mahmudi, Bani Israel.

[5] - Oral Isteftaa from the office of the Supreme Leader (grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) – may Allah grant him long life.

Detailed Answer
This question does not have a detailed answer.
Question translations in other languages
Comments
Number of comments 0
Please enter the value
Example : Yourname@YourDomane.ext
Please enter the value
Please enter the value

Thematic Category

Random questions

  • Is it permissible to follow a Sunni prayer leader in a congregational prayer?
    7807 گوناگون 2015/04/14
    There is no problem in attending Sunni congregational prayers; it is permissible and there are some reports according to which one who stands in the first row of their congregational prayers is like one who has offered his prayers standing behind the Holy Prophet (S) in the ...
  • What is the most important message of Surah al-Masadd?
    16107 Exegesis 2012/12/31
    The most important message of this Surah (chapter) can be explain in such a way that wealthy, position and family relationship with prophets cannot protect an individual from God’s wrath or fury. Abu Lahab is an example in this chapter of the Quran. He is one of ...
  • Which has priority, the doctor’s prescription or religion?
    7585 Laws and Jurisprudence 2010/05/26
    This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer. ...
  • What is E'tikaf?
    9451 Theoretical 2011/07/07
    Literally, E'tikaf (cleave to a mosque) means to stay or remain at a place or to cleave to smething. E'tikaf in Islamic law is a pious practice consisting of a period of retreat at a sacred place for the purpose of seeking proximity and nearness ...
  • What is the starting point for purifying the soul?
    11854 Practical 2009/09/23
    Purification means to clean your soul of impurity. The Quran has mentioned purifying the soul in various verses but one should know that the basis and starting point of purification varies from person to person.  For a person that is not Muslim, the first essential step will be ...
  • Is Satan eternal and immortal like God since God gave respite to Satan until Day of Judgment?
    10086 Exegesis 2019/06/12
    Eternity means a state of immortal existence in future. Since Satan is God's creature and each creature is under the control of its creator, therefore Satan cannot make himself involved in God's affairs volitionally, rather like other creatures whatever he has belongs to God. The respite God ...
  • In the Quran’s viewpoint, is man an ignorant and unjust creature or is he khalifatullah (God’s vicegerent)?
    12003 Exegesis 2008/06/17
    1. The Holy Quran praises man (mankind) in many ways, while, on the other hand, scolding and reproaching him in various verses.2. Because of man's high potentials, he is able to reach and ascend to the highest levels and ranks, and at the same time, is capable of sinking ...
  • Please provide us with a short biography of Imam Hasan al-Askari (as).
    4157 Way of life of 2021/03/31
  • Do Christians acknowledge Prophet Khidhr?
    8104 تاريخ بزرگان 2009/11/25
    There is no mention of Khidhr in the Bible, and it is unlikely to find mention of his name or anything related to him in any other books of Christianity. Of course, you should also know that in the holy Quran the specific name of “Khidhr” is not ...
  • What is Islam’s ruling on listening to music?
    19672 Laws and Jurisprudence 2010/11/21
    Music is essentially sound, and watching it (without listening) has no ruling; the only ruling there is, has to do with producing and the sale of instruments, teaching and learning, playing, and listening to it. Most scholars consider listening to and producing lahwi music to be haram and ...

Popular