Q: I received a message from a unanimous person on my Saudi mobile phone number in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. You will find it attached with my letter. As you see, this message includes four Ayahs of the Qur'an, the Book that falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it, and this has been mentioned in the introduction. The sender clarifies various, great and fantastical benefits that will be achieved for whoever prints and distributes the message within four days. He has quoted examples of welfare achieved by the people who have printed the message and other examples of distresses inflicted on others who have neglected it.I know that we should maintain the Noble Qur'an and act according to it anyhow, but what worries me is the method by which the sender has sent this message, illustrating the tremendous welfare that will be earned for whoever distributes the message, and the great evil that will befall whoever neglects it. I know that good and evil are in the Hand of Allah (i.e. by His Will), and that nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. I also remember something happened several years ago when people distributed a similar message claiming it was from Shaykh Ahmad, one of the guards of the Masjid (mosque) of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). At the time, Your Eminence explained the truth in newspapers and clarified the ruling on this issue. This is why I am sending this letter to Your Eminence, hoping that you will inform me of the ruling. May Allah reward you (Part No. 3; Page No. 122) the best of rewards on behalf of Islam and Muslims!

A: Identifying the immediate or deferred reward or punishment of writing or reciting Ayahs of the Qur'an is of the matters in which knowledge is entitled to Allah Alone, as it is among the secrets of the unseen that Allah has taken unto Himself. Therefore, it is impermissible for any one to talk about this except by Allah's ordinance and revelation (in this regard) to His Messenger (peace be upon him). Furthermore, nothing in the Book of Allah or the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him) concerning the Ayahs stated in the question encourages the writing or distribution of them, not even by identifying the worldly or the hereafter reward of protection, wealth, easing affairs or relieving distresses for whoever sends or distributes them. There is no mention of any threats of punishment of death, poverty, infliction with harm or disease and the like for whoever refrains from writing the Ayahs. Accordingly, whoever stipulates a reward for writing or distributing them within a specific time, will be guessing the unseen and saying about Allah what they do not know. Allah (Glorified be He) forbade this by saying: And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those one will be questioned (by Allâh). And Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawâhish (great evil sins and every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allâh for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allâh of which you have no knowledge." So you should know that calling to such leaflet (Part No. 3; Page No. 123) and identifying the reward or punishment for it, is an abominable act. Whoever does this deserves Allah's Punishment (Exalted and Glorified be He), as well as the punishment of rulers to prevent innovating what Allah has not permitted in religion and restraining whoever intends to do the same.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.