Am I Accountable for Not Advising a Relative on Respectfully Disposing of Items with Sacred Names?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

Am I obligated to advise my cousin on properly disposing of a receipt with the name “Mohammed” on it? If I fail to do so, have I committed a major sin or shown disrespect that could be considered kufr?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

Yes, you are obligated to advise your cousin on properly handling a receipt with the name “Muhammad” written on it, as the improper disposal of such items may constitute disrespect. If you fail to do so while having the ability, it could imply negligence toward an obligation to enjoin good and forbid wrong. However, it does not necessarily amount to disbelief (kufr).

Obligation to Enjoin Good and Forbid Wrong

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Whoever among you sees an evil must change it with his hand; if he is unable, then with his tongue; if he is unable, then with his heart—and that is the weakest level of faith” [Muslim].

Advising someone to handle sacred names properly falls under enjoining good and forbidding wrong, particularly since the name of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) carries immense reverence.

Disrespect to Sacred Names

Ibn Hajar Al-Haytami addressed stepping on paper or cloth with sacred names: “Stepping on such items is prohibited because it constitutes an insult to them… It is appropriate to include any revered name in this ruling.” [Haytami, Al-Fatāwā al-Fiqhiyya al-Kubrā (1/35)].

Ibn Hajar has a dedicated work on major sins (kaba’ir), and explains therein that even throwing away papers containing sacred names into filth is an act that aligns with behaviors unanimously attributed to disbelievers: “Included in this meaning is throwing away a piece of paper containing something from the Quran, sacred knowledge, the name of Allah (Most High), or even the name of a prophet or an angel, into filth” [Haytami, Al-Zawājir ʿan Iqtirāf al-Kabāʾir (1/47)].

Proper Disposal

There are various views on how to handle papers with sacred writings:

Ibn ʿAbd al-Salām states washing the paper is preferable to prevent disrespect: “Washing it is preferable, as placing it on a wall exposes it to the possibility of falling and being disrespected” [Haytami, Al-Fatāwā al-Fiqhiyya al-Kubrā (1/35)].

Burning is also considered preferable by some scholars to ensure reverence: “Burning [a paper with sacred writings] is preferable to washing it because the water used for washing may fall on the ground” [Ansari, Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib (1/62)].

Recommendation

Advise your cousin kindly and explain the importance of handling such items respectfully. Suggest washing or burning the receipt to prevent disrespect. By doing so, you fulfill your duty of enjoining good and forbidding wrong without overburdening them.

Allah knows best

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib

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.