Advanced search
Visit
7096
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

  • If Allah (awj) is omniscient, why does He need to test mankind?
    8237 Traditional 2011/08/15
    As implied by the question, because Allah (awj) is omniscient, the purpose of His tests is not to unveil something hitherto unknown. Rather, the Qur`an and ahadith suggest that these tests serve two purposes. First, they comprise a Divine precedent (sunnah ilahiyyah
  • What is the definition of "Muslim" according to the Quran?
    83523 Exegesis 2010/04/06
    According to the Quran a Muslim is one who has absolutely surrendered to Allah and his commands and believes in pure Tawhid (the oneness of God) that isn't tainted with any Shirk and this is why the Almighty has introduced Prophet Abraham as a true ...
  • Why is wearing bright and sharp colored clothing in society a problematic issue for women in Iran?
    11966 Laws and Jurisprudence 2010/09/22
    Essentially, clothing is for one’s covering and dignity which is a trait confined to human beings among all creatures in the world. It is the human being that wears clothing to protect himself from the cold and the heat and also reflect his personality. This ...
  • Do we have to recite surah Fatihah in prayer?
    5241 Laws and Jurisprudence 2010/08/01
    In the first and second rak’ahs of the daily prayers, one must recite surah Fatihah and another entire surah after it; there is no difference between men and women in this ruling.[1] (Of course, this is when one is praying by himself, but ...
  • What creatures are haram?
    17331 Laws and Jurisprudence 2012/02/15
    In general, haram meat creatures are divided into several categories:1. All sea creatures which do not have scales.2. Among land creatures, dogs, pigs, predatory creatures which have sharp teeth and claws and talons, like lions, foxes, rabbits, wolves, elephants, etc. are haram. But all types of ...
  • Why is polygamy permissible for men in Islam, yet impermissible for women?
    10018 Philosophy of Religion and Law 2008/09/18
    Before Islam, polygamy was considered normal and lacked any rules or limitations. As one of man’s essential needs, Islam has limited it, giving it specific conditions and terms. Islamic laws are all based on true needs and the benefit of society as a whole. The following needs are ...
  • Please let me know in detail the beliefs of Zaidiyyah sect, especially the Houthis?
    15008 تاريخ کلام 2017/05/20
    The Zaidiyyah or Zaidism is a sect which emerged in the eighth century out of Shi'a Islam. Zaidis are named after Zaid ibn Ali, the grandson of Husain ibn Ali. Although Zaid did not consider himself to be the imam after his father, his uprising to bring ...
  • Why do some Shiite mystics and scholars renounce the world and divinely gifted halāl pleasures and bounties?
    5814 دنیا و زینتهای آن 2012/06/28
    The divine bounties and pleasures are not restricted to worldly and material things; rather they also include spiritualities which for many people entail greater pleasures. The mystics and pious ones have availed themselves of spiritual pleasures rather than worldly possession and advantages. They reached high spiritual and ...
  • How do we return to nothingness?
    6723 Contextual study 2009/09/23
    This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer. ...
  • Is it permissible to eat chips containing porcine enzymes?
    6381 Laws and Jurisprudence 2012/01/19
    The grand maraji’ responded to this inquiry like this:The office of the grand Ayatullah Khamenei:In the case of the question it isn't permissible.The office of the grand Ayatullah Makarem Shirazi:It isn’t permissible.The office of the grand Ayatullah Safi Golpaygani:If ...

Popular