If a Teacher Asks a Student to Distribute Materials Containing Duas, but He Thinks They Will Be Disrespected, Should He Comply?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

If a teacher asks a student to distribute materials containing Quranic verses, Allah’s names, or duas, but the student knows they will likely be disrespected, should the student comply? Does the same ruling apply if the papers only contain names like “Sayfullah” with Allah’s name in Arabic?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

If a teacher instructs a student to distribute materials that contain Quranic verses, the Names of Allah, or supplications, the student should comply. There is nothing inherently wrong in the command itself, and one cannot assume what others may or may not do with the papers. Allah Most High commands:

“O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you…” [Quran, 4:59]

As long as the instruction does not involve certain disobedience, it should be followed. The possibility that others might disrespect the material is not enough to make disobedience permissible.

If Disrespect is Suspected

If one has convincing evidence that the recipient intends to disrespect the material, the student should not take matters into their own hands. Instead, they should inform the teacher, who is best positioned to act wisely. Allah Most High also says:

“When there comes to them some matter touching safety or fear, they spread it. But if they had referred it to the Messenger or to those in authority among them, those who can draw correct conclusions would have known it.” [Quran, 4:83]

This teaches us to refer such concerns to those responsible, instead of making independent assumptions.

Regarding Names like “Sayfullah”

If the material contains names including “Allah” (such as Sayfullah), it does not carry the same rulings as Quranic verses or divine attributes. Such names should still be treated respectfully, but there is no harm in distributing them as instructed.

Practical Guidance

• Comply with the teacher’s instruction unless there is clear evidence of harm.
• Do not assume ill intent from recipients without proof.
• If genuine concern arises, refer the matter back to the teacher.
• Treat all sacred words with dignity, but do not burden yourself with unwarranted guilt.

In short: obey your teacher in what is good, and leave the possible misuse of the material to those responsible.

And Allah knows best.

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town. He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.