Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Quoting a verse of Qur’aan as a proverb

We hear many people using Qur'aanic verses as proverbs and the like,
suchas the verses (interpretation of the meaning): "Which will neither
nourish nor avail against hunger" [al-Ghaashiyah 88:7] and "Thereof
(the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from
it We shall bring you out once again" [Ta-Ha 20:55]. That includes
Qur'aanic verses which cannot be uttered except for beneficial
purposes, not for mockery and making fun, as it is commonly quoted by
some people, either verbally or in writing. Is that permissible or
not?.
Praise be to Allaah.
There is nothing wrong with quoting Qur'aanic verses as proverbs, if
that is for a valid purpose, suchas saying This is something that
"will neither nourish nor avail against hunger" or saying "Thereof
(the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from
it We shall bring you out once again", if one wants to remind people
oftheir relationship with the earth, from which they were created and
to whichthey will return. If quotingQur'aan as a proverb is
notintended by way of mockery and making fun, there is nothing wrong
with it. But if it is done by way of mockery and making fun, as the
questioner mentions, thenthis is regarded as apostasy from Islam,
because the one who makes fun of the Qur'aan or of any mention of
Allaah, may He be glorifiedand exalted, has apostatized from Islam, as
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Say: "Was it at Allaah ( عز و جل ), and His Ayaat (proofs, evidences,
verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and His Messenger (صلى الله
عليه وسلم) that youwere mocking?"
66. Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed"
[al-Tawbah 9:65-66]
It is essential to venerate and respect the Qur'aan, but that does not
mean that one cannot quote it as a proverb in a proper and respectful
manner. There is nothing wrong with that, but using it by way of
mockery and making fun is apostasy from Islam. And Allaah knows best.

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