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﴿ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ﴾

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Prohibiting the writing of the Basmala on examination papers and discarding papers on which the name of Allah is written

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Question:
It was said to me that in one of the women’s colleges, there is a teacher who prohibits writing the name of Allah, or "Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim" (In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate), on the exam paper. It is said that in one of the exams, a woman wrote "Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim," so the teacher invalidated the exam because of the writing. Also, some foreign female teachers bring with them a recorder and a tape of Western songs. This is during the break time, and they say, "Dance, girls," so the sinful women dance, and the believing women leave. We ask that the necessary action be taken in this matter. May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
We see. We observe the wudu', if Allah wills. It was mentioned thirdly, except for the Basmala; if the report is authentic, it may be interpreted to mean that the papers are thrown away or discarded afterwards. But this is a mistake. Naming the papers does not involve the remembrance of Allah in the examination or the answer. Therefore, not naming Allah in this way is a mistake. Naming is prescribed at the beginning of the examination and at the beginning of important questions. Even if some people throw them away, the one who throws them away is the one who discards the papers or newspapers in the trash, and that is also a mistake. And whoever writes this new matter or writes this statement is rewarded.
Because a person is commanded to name Allah in his writings. And this occurs in writings such as Murad Abdullah, Abd al-Rahman, and Abd al-Aziz. The writings, and the hadith of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), like the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). These are things that are not permissible to throw in the trash or in the markets where feet tread. No, they must be lifted up and disposed of properly. People must either keep them in a safe place or bury them when they are done with them, or burn them when they are done with them. As for throwing them in the trash, that is an abomination and is not permissible. The point is that some people criticize the writing of the name of Allah on some newspapers or in examinations, thinking it is a mistake to write the name of Allah, and if the Basmala is not mentioned, and the verses likewise. But the one who has the newspaper or the papers on which it is written in his hand should not throw it in the trash. Rather, he should keep it for his need, or bury it in good earth, or burn it, and then throw it in the trash or in the markets, or in a place where it is handled. This is not permissible. And there is no doubt that teachers and female teachers bear a responsibility. Teachers, male and female, and educators, male and female, bear a great responsibility. From the evil of the nation. So it is obligatory for teachers and educators, may Allah guide them, to teach people good and to be discerning, and not to be in a state of ignorance. And it is upon those who select and choose them, from those sent from the schools and others, to fear Allah and to ask and be discerning so that they do not contract with anyone except one who is suitable for the work, among men and women. And this is a great danger. The danger of female and male teachers is a very great danger in matters of creed, morals, actions, and knowledge, all of it. We ask Allah for complete guidance.
Source ندوات الجامع الكبير مع الأسئلة - 50 — archive.org (38:33)

The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.

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