Q: Some calligraphers write the Exalted Name of Allah on the back of the cars which are bound to get covered with dirt. Please give us a Fatwa on that so that we may know the truth.

A: It is not permissible for calligraphers, painters or others to write the Exalted Name of Allah or one of His Magnificent Names and Attributes on the back of the car or whatsoever. Similarly, the owner of the car is not permitted to do this under any pretext, such as decoration, seeking blessing, using it as a means of reminding and admonition, or for any other purposes the common or ignorant people may think of. This is an act of Bid`ah (innovation in religion) that has no origin in the Qur'an or Sunnah, and Allah did not prescribe it as an act of worship. Moreover, writing Qur'an in this way involves insulting the Names and Attributes of Allah and not keeping them away from inappropriate things. Perhaps, this (Part No. 3; Page No. 36) leads the person to Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) when he uses it as an amulet that brings about good and wards off evil merely by writing it.Allah does not teach us his Names and Attributes to be written on sets, placards or cars. Had this been permissible, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would have guided us to it.Rather, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) revealed His Names and Attributes to teach His slaves about Himself, so that they may affirm them as He revealed them in the Qur'an or to His Messenger (peace be upon him) and believe in all the perfection and majesty they convey. Muslims should also give Allah His due praise and supplicate to Him in easy and hard times by His Names and Attributes.Every Muslim must believe in these Names, realize them in beliefs and actions and keep them in letter and spirit. A Muslim should acknowledge them as belonging to Allah without Tahrif (distortion of the meaning), Ta`til (negation of the meaning or function of Allah's Attributes), Tamthil (likening Allah's Attributes to those of His Creation), Takyif (descriptive designation of Allah's Attributes) or Tashbih (comparison), and guard their sanctity against abuse and inappropriate things. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allâh, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.