What is the ruling on swearing by the Qur'an?
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The questioner : He is asking about the ruling on swearing by the Qur'an, considering it to be the speech of Allah.
The Shaykh : Yes, regarding swearing by the Qur'an, we say first: we tell the one who swears by the Qur'an, why do you not swear by Allah, or by one of His clear names, or by one of His clear attributes? Why do you not swear? What compelled you to swear by the Qur'an?
The answer: There is no harm, because one can swear by Allah, which is the most common. The most common is swearing by Allah with this wording.[At-Tawbah 9:56]. [At-Tawbah 9:95] And the oaths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) are numerous oaths by Allah. Yes. Or by an attribute that belongs to Allah alone, such as "By the One in whose hand is my soul." So the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to swear constantly, saying: Because souls are in the hand of whom? In the hand of Allah. No one can ever extract a soul from its body except Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And no one can ever breathe a spirit into a body except Allah (Mighty and Majestic).
So he used to swear by this attribute that belongs to Allah alone. And he also used to swear frequently by "the Turner of hearts," as he (may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said:. Here, "the Turner of hearts" is an attribute specific to Allah; no one can turn hearts except Allah (Mighty and Majestic). It is true that there may be a cause where a person associates with a bad companion and his heart is diverted, or with a good companion and his heart is diverted, but this is a cause. And how many people had disbelieving parents yet were believers? Or a believing father yet he was a disbeliever, and it did not affect him. Hearts are in the hand of Allah. The important thing is that a person should swear by clear things.
As for swearing by the Qur'an, there is no harm in it, because the Qur'an is the speech of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And the speech of Allah the Exalted is among His attributes, and swearing by the attributes of Allah is permissible. So on this basis, if one says, "By the Great Qur'an, I did not do such and such," it is permissible and there is no harm.
So if one swears by the signs of Allah, not by the Qur'an, is it permissible? No. No. And if you say it is not permissible, that is also wrong. So I said it is permissible, and if you say it is not permissible, that is wrong. There is a detail: We say, what do you mean by "signs"? If he means the Qur'an, then it is permissible. If he means the created things, then it is not permissible, because the created things are among the signs of Allah[Fussilat 41:37]. But if we mean the Qur'an, then it is permissible.
So it is better to avoid swearing by the signs of Allah, better, so as not to give the impression that he meant what? The created things. And Allah knows best.
The student: The mushaf.
The Shaykh : Yes, the mushaf. If he means the papers, this is not permissible, because these are created. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, regarding swearing by the Qur'an, we say first: we tell the one who swears by the Qur'an, why do you not swear by Allah, or by one of His clear names, or by one of His clear attributes? Why do you not swear? What compelled you to swear by the Qur'an?
The answer: There is no harm, because one can swear by Allah, which is the most common. The most common is swearing by Allah with this wording.
And they swear by Allah that they are from among you
ويحلفون بالله إنهم لمنكمThey will swear by Allah to you when you return to
سيحلفون بالله إذا انقلبتم إليهBy Myself in My Hand
والذي نفسي بيدهSo he used to swear by this attribute that belongs to Allah alone. And he also used to swear frequently by "the Turner of hearts," as he (may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
Indeed, there is no heart among the hearts of the children of Adam between two fingers of the Most Merciful that He turns or diverts as He wills
إنه ما من قلب من قلوب بني آدم بين أصبعين من أصابع الرحمان يقلبه أو يصرفه كيف يشاءAs for swearing by the Qur'an, there is no harm in it, because the Qur'an is the speech of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And the speech of Allah the Exalted is among His attributes, and swearing by the attributes of Allah is permissible. So on this basis, if one says, "By the Great Qur'an, I did not do such and such," it is permissible and there is no harm.
So if one swears by the signs of Allah, not by the Qur'an, is it permissible? No. No. And if you say it is not permissible, that is also wrong. So I said it is permissible, and if you say it is not permissible, that is wrong. There is a detail: We say, what do you mean by "signs"? If he means the Qur'an, then it is permissible. If he means the created things, then it is not permissible, because the created things are among the signs of Allah
And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon
ومن آياته الليل والنهار والشمس والقمرSo it is better to avoid swearing by the signs of Allah, better, so as not to give the impression that he meant what? The created things. And Allah knows best.
The student: The mushaf.
The Shaykh : Yes, the mushaf. If he means the papers, this is not permissible, because these are created. Yes.