Some people use newspapers as placemats for their meals, knowing that these newspapers contain the names of Allah and some hadiths. We ask you to clarify this.
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The questioner : Some people use newspapers as placemats for their meals, knowing that these newspapers contain the names of Allah and some hadiths. We ask you to clarify the ruling on this. May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : The ruling on this is that if it is known that these newspapers contain verses from the Qur'an, or names from the names of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), or hadiths from the hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), then it is not permissible to use them for eating, or to sit on them, or anything similar to that. This is because of the desecration of the words of Allah, His names, and the hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) involved in such an act, and the disrespect shown to them. One is amazed at people who use them, even though it is possible to use the known placemats instead, or the papers that are sold and made into placemats, which are cheap and inexpensive. However, some people—may Allah keep us safe—find their evil deeds made attractive to them, so they choose these newspapers even though others are easily available in an obvious way. Then they are afflicted by placing them as placemats for eating, as the questioner mentioned, and perhaps some people place them and sit on them as well if the ground is dusty. All of these are matters that a Muslim must be mindful of, and he must revere the words of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), the names of Allah, and the words of His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), so that by doing so, he reveres the Lord (Mighty and Majestic) with complete reverence.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : The ruling on this is that if it is known that these newspapers contain verses from the Qur'an, or names from the names of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), or hadiths from the hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), then it is not permissible to use them for eating, or to sit on them, or anything similar to that. This is because of the desecration of the words of Allah, His names, and the hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) involved in such an act, and the disrespect shown to them. One is amazed at people who use them, even though it is possible to use the known placemats instead, or the papers that are sold and made into placemats, which are cheap and inexpensive. However, some people—may Allah keep us safe—find their evil deeds made attractive to them, so they choose these newspapers even though others are easily available in an obvious way. Then they are afflicted by placing them as placemats for eating, as the questioner mentioned, and perhaps some people place them and sit on them as well if the ground is dusty. All of these are matters that a Muslim must be mindful of, and he must revere the words of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), the names of Allah, and the words of His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), so that by doing so, he reveres the Lord (Mighty and Majestic) with complete reverence.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.