The Ruling on Writing Unknown Characters in Saffron Water

Question:
The presenter says: Someone says that there are people who recite over water containing saffron, then write characters that are not understood on papers, and then sell them. What is the ruling on that?

Answer:
The obligatory thing in such a case is that the writing be known and recognizable. As for reciting over what is known, in a known recitation, then washing the paper or the plate, and then drinking it with the saffron, that is fine. But as for unknown recitation, that is suspect. The recitation must be known and clear, free from any doubt or ambiguity, so that one is not accused of writing things that are wrong. A group of scholars did this, including Ahmad ibn Hanbal and others, and a group of the Tabi'un (the generation after the Companions) and others. It is narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he would write something with saffron, then wash it and drink it. This is one of the types of treatment.