We have published a fatwa regarding writings on some clothing, whether in English or some images and the like. We request further warning and commentary.
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : May Allah reward the honorableThe Shaykh : We have published a fatwa regarding some writings on some clothing, whether in English or some images and the like. We request further warning and further commentary on this orally, because many people benefit more from the recording than from the written text. Also, some people distinguish between the images placed on children's clothing and those placed on adults' clothing. I ask for guidance, and this problem has become common in many of our homes. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : As for the images, the images on clothing for adults or for children are the same. It is not permissible for a person to wear what contains an image, nor to dress his sons and daughters in what contains an image. As for the writings, I wish we had the paper with us so we could read it. Is it with anyone? Is it available? Yes, let us bring it so we can see it. Yes? Does no one know? Read what is written.
The questioner : From the writings present, it is written. It says.
The Shaykh : ... .
The questioner : It means it is written that, I am a Christian, it says I am a Christian.
The Shaykh : What is this on?
The questioner : On a T-shirt, I think it is on a T-shirt, and it says I am a Jew, and it is also written Christian, and it is written "sailor nationality."
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Sailor nationality.
The Shaykh : I seek refuge in Allah, it means the man's flowing water, yes.
The questioner : And it is written with a symbol for a young lady symbolizing the act of fornication, and it is also written "the god of love among the Greeks," and it is also written "alcohol drink," and from the writings is also the name of a man and a woman, and from the writings is the Christmas holiday, and it is also written I am a Christian.
The Shaykh : Yes, the important thing, my brothers, is that we are a Muslim people, and it is obligatory upon us to boycott these clothes. It is also obligatory upon us to write to the Ministry of Commerce, warning them with Allah the Mighty and Majestic, and saying: You must be extremely careful about what comes to our markets like these matters. Glory be to Allah! A boy or boys from the Muslims write on their clothing that they are Christian, or Jewish. Do we not understand? Are we sheep? Glory be to Allah! It is obligatory that we be one nation, and that the responsible officials, if they are unaware of this and do not know about it, be written to, and it be explained to them, and samples of these clothes be sent to them. This is regarding the responsible officials. And it is obligatory upon us to advise them and explain the matter to them. If we do that, our conscience is clear. They are the ones responsible before Allah, on the Day when wealth and children will not benefit them, except those who come to Allah with a sound heart. And woe to them if they fall short in the trust and in caring for the people. The nation will be their adversary on the Day of Resurrection.
And as for us, it is obligatory upon us to boycott this thing, and not to spend our money on what insults us, because the least of what is in it is that the boy finds it acceptable to say he is Christian or that he is Jewish, the least of what is in it. And you know that the Jews and the Christians have been our enemies from ancient times.[Al-Ma'idah 5:51-52] Meaning, we fear that a circle will strike us. If we ally with them, they will be with us. Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Ma'idah 5:52]. It is obligatory upon us to boycott this completely. And if we see it at a shopkeeper, we advise him and say: Fear Allah, and we explain it to him, because some shopkeepers also do not understand the English language and do not know what is written. But we inform them. This is if the matter before us now is a reality. But if it is not a reality, then Allah is sufficient for us regarding the one who wrote it and deceived the people with it. Yes.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : No,[Al-Ma'idah 5:52] [Al-Ma'idah 5:52] Yes?
The questioner : The images...
The Shaykh : The names of singers? Even these, meaning the names of singers and the names of the skilled among the ball players and others who are not Muslims, all of this is not permissible, because it will lead to the Muslim's heart exalting these people, and they are disbelievers.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : The images, we mentioned that they are forbidden, whether on T-shirts or on shirts or on trousers.
The Shaykh : Do you read?
The reader: It says: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Clothing on which is written what undermines religion or honor is not permissible to wear, whether written in Arabic or other languages, and whether for men or women, and whether it covers the entire body or a part of it, or a member of its members, such as writing on it a phrase indicating the religion of the Jews or the Christians or others, or a holiday from their holidays, or drinking alcohol or committing fornication or the like. It is not permissible to promote such clothing or sell it or buy it, and its price is forbidden, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Ibn Hibban 26:35. My advice to my Muslim brothers is to fear their Lord and avoid what is forbidden to them so that they may attain happiness in this world and the Hereafter. Said and written by Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen, on the eighth/seventh of the year one thousand four hundred and fourteen.
The Shaykh : We ask Allah the Exalted to make this writing beneficial, and to make this speech that we mentioned beneficial as well. And we ask our brothers to be helpers to our rulers, because a person is human and some things may be hidden from him, and he may be lazy. If something is hidden from him, we inform him, and if he is lazy, we encourage him. How good it would be if a letter were written to the Ministry of Commerce on this subject and the matter explained to them. But it is also good that there be samples of these clothes actually presented to the ministry. And we do not know, perhaps the ministry has now become aware of this and is trying to prevent it. So the role remains with us to boycott these clothes and not promote them.
The reader: Before you conclude this session, I remind my brothers that before the spring vacation, in the spring vacation of last year, there were directives from the honorable Shaykh and etiquettes regarding the spring vacation, and it is available, praise be to Allah, and preserved on a tape available in the recording shops. So guide my brothers to that tape because of the warnings in it, whether regarding the 'Umrah or the etiquettes of the wilderness or others. So I draw the attention of my brothers to that. May Allah reward our Shaykh with the best reward for this meeting, and make us among those who, when they hear, act. And may Allah send prayers and blessings and mercy upon His servant and messenger Muhammad.
The Shaykh : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : As for the images, the images on clothing for adults or for children are the same. It is not permissible for a person to wear what contains an image, nor to dress his sons and daughters in what contains an image. As for the writings, I wish we had the paper with us so we could read it. Is it with anyone? Is it available? Yes, let us bring it so we can see it. Yes? Does no one know? Read what is written.
The questioner : From the writings present, it is written. It says.
The Shaykh : ... .
The questioner : It means it is written that, I am a Christian, it says I am a Christian.
The Shaykh : What is this on?
The questioner : On a T-shirt, I think it is on a T-shirt, and it says I am a Jew, and it is also written Christian, and it is written "sailor nationality."
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Sailor nationality.
The Shaykh : I seek refuge in Allah, it means the man's flowing water, yes.
The questioner : And it is written with a symbol for a young lady symbolizing the act of fornication, and it is also written "the god of love among the Greeks," and it is also written "alcohol drink," and from the writings is also the name of a man and a woman, and from the writings is the Christmas holiday, and it is also written I am a Christian.
The Shaykh : Yes, the important thing, my brothers, is that we are a Muslim people, and it is obligatory upon us to boycott these clothes. It is also obligatory upon us to write to the Ministry of Commerce, warning them with Allah the Mighty and Majestic, and saying: You must be extremely careful about what comes to our markets like these matters. Glory be to Allah! A boy or boys from the Muslims write on their clothing that they are Christian, or Jewish. Do we not understand? Are we sheep? Glory be to Allah! It is obligatory that we be one nation, and that the responsible officials, if they are unaware of this and do not know about it, be written to, and it be explained to them, and samples of these clothes be sent to them. This is regarding the responsible officials. And it is obligatory upon us to advise them and explain the matter to them. If we do that, our conscience is clear. They are the ones responsible before Allah, on the Day when wealth and children will not benefit them, except those who come to Allah with a sound heart. And woe to them if they fall short in the trust and in caring for the people. The nation will be their adversary on the Day of Resurrection.
And as for us, it is obligatory upon us to boycott this thing, and not to spend our money on what insults us, because the least of what is in it is that the boy finds it acceptable to say he is Christian or that he is Jewish, the least of what is in it. And you know that the Jews and the Christians have been our enemies from ancient times.
(51) O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people. (52) So you see those in whose hearts is disease hastening into [association with] them, saying, "We are afraid a misfortune may strike us." But perhaps Allah will bring conquest or a decision from Him, and they will become, over what they have been concealing within themselves, regretful.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى أَوْلِيَاءَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ وَمَنْ يَتَوَلَّهُمْ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ * فَتَرَى الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ يُسَارِعُونَ فِيهِمْ يَقُولُونَ نَخْشَى أَنْ تُصِيبَنَا دَائِرَةٌBut perhaps Allah will bring conquest or a decision from Him, and they will become, over what they have been concealing within themselves, regretful.
فَعَسَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ بِالْفَتْحِ أَوْ أَمْرٍ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ فَيُصْبِحُوا عَلَى مَا أَسَرُّوا فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ نَادِمِينَThe questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : No,
or a decision from Him
أو أمر من عندهBut perhaps Allah will bring conquest or a decision from Him
فَعَسَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ بِالْفَتْحِ أَوْ أَمْرٍ مِنْ عِنْدِهِThe questioner : The images...
The Shaykh : The names of singers? Even these, meaning the names of singers and the names of the skilled among the ball players and others who are not Muslims, all of this is not permissible, because it will lead to the Muslim's heart exalting these people, and they are disbelievers.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : The images, we mentioned that they are forbidden, whether on T-shirts or on shirts or on trousers.
The Shaykh : Do you read?
The reader: It says: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Clothing on which is written what undermines religion or honor is not permissible to wear, whether written in Arabic or other languages, and whether for men or women, and whether it covers the entire body or a part of it, or a member of its members, such as writing on it a phrase indicating the religion of the Jews or the Christians or others, or a holiday from their holidays, or drinking alcohol or committing fornication or the like. It is not permissible to promote such clothing or sell it or buy it, and its price is forbidden, due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Indeed, when Allah forbids something, He forbids its price.
إن الله إذا حرم شيئا حرم ثمنهThe Shaykh : We ask Allah the Exalted to make this writing beneficial, and to make this speech that we mentioned beneficial as well. And we ask our brothers to be helpers to our rulers, because a person is human and some things may be hidden from him, and he may be lazy. If something is hidden from him, we inform him, and if he is lazy, we encourage him. How good it would be if a letter were written to the Ministry of Commerce on this subject and the matter explained to them. But it is also good that there be samples of these clothes actually presented to the ministry. And we do not know, perhaps the ministry has now become aware of this and is trying to prevent it. So the role remains with us to boycott these clothes and not promote them.
The reader: Before you conclude this session, I remind my brothers that before the spring vacation, in the spring vacation of last year, there were directives from the honorable Shaykh and etiquettes regarding the spring vacation, and it is available, praise be to Allah, and preserved on a tape available in the recording shops. So guide my brothers to that tape because of the warnings in it, whether regarding the 'Umrah or the etiquettes of the wilderness or others. So I draw the attention of my brothers to that. May Allah reward our Shaykh with the best reward for this meeting, and make us among those who, when they hear, act. And may Allah send prayers and blessings and mercy upon His servant and messenger Muhammad.
The Shaykh : May Allah bless you.