(Part No. 4; Page No. 51)  Writing Ayahs on compass clocks Fatwa no. 1683 Chairman Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ has viewed the question submitted to the President General, from his Highness, Prince Mashary ibn ‘Abdul-‘Aziz, in his capacity as the Board Chairman of Al-Sa‘adah Trade and Contracting Ltd. Company, concerning the compass clocks that will be imported into the country, as they think it is a religious service that will help Muslims know the correct direction of the Honored Ka`bah.

Having examined the compass clocks and the Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) written on them, such as "Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim" (In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) and Ayat-ul-Kursy (the Qur’anic Verse of Allah’s Chair, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255), and the phrases written on it, such as "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest) and "La ilaha illa Allah Muhammad Rasulullah" (There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah), the Committee answered as follows: Allah revealed the Qur'an for people to recite it as a form of 'Ibadah (worship), contemplate its meanings, know its rulings and apply them. Thus, it is an admonition and warning to people causing their skin to shiver, and then it softens their hearts, cures their chests from ignorance and misguidance, and purifies their souls of doubt and sin. Allah (Exalted be He) made it guidance and mercy for those who open their hearts and listen heedfully. Allah (Exalted be He) says: O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Qur’ân, enjoining all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that (disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and differences) which is in your breasts, - a guidance and a mercy (explaining lawful and unlawful things) for the believers. (Part No. 4; Page No. 52) And: Allâh has sent down the Best Statement, a Book (this Qur’ân), its parts resembling each other (in goodness and truth) (and) oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allâh. That is the guidance of Allâh. He guides therewith whom He wills; and whomever Allâh sends astray, for him there is no guide. And: Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful. Allah (Exalted be He) sent the Qur’an as the miracle supporting His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is the clear sign that He is a Messenger from Allah, and a mercy and a proof to all mankind. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And they say: "Why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord? Say: "The signs are only with Allâh, and I am only a plain warner." Is it not sufficient for them that We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’ân) which is recited to them? Verily, herein is mercy and a reminder (or an admonition) for a people who believe. And: These are the Verses of the Clear Book (the Qur’ân that makes clear the legal and illegal things, laws, a guidance and a blessing). And: These are the Verses of the Book (the Qur’ân) Al-Hakîm. This is in addition to other Ayahs. Accordingly, the Qur’an is a Book of guidance, legislation, admonition, wisdom, clarification of laws, and stands as a superb sign, a great miracle, and conclusive evidence by which Allah (Exalted be He) supported His Messenger (peace be upon him). (Part No. 4; Page No. 53) Allah (Exalted be He) did not reveal the Qur’an for people to write a word or an Ayah of it on clocks as a means of decoration, or to attract buyers and boost sales, or to be worn as protection along with indicating directions. Writing one or more Ayahs on clocks is considered a deviation from the original purposes of the Qur’an and using it in a sacrilegious manner by exposing it to things incompatible with its lofty status, such as dirt, filth, or entering the bathroom while carrying it, and so on. This is contrary to the way of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), his Sahabah (Companions, may Allah be pleased with them), and the Salaf (righteous predecessors). Anyone who believes in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and desires goodness, should seek blessings and success in religious and worldly affairs from Allah (Exalted be He) by reciting the Qur’an and applying it in acts of worship and everyday dealings, so that Allah may bestow blessings on them, reward them generously, protect them in all situations, and facilitate all their affairs.The same ruling applies to the phrases "Allahu Akbar" and "La ilaha illa Allah Muhammad Rasulullah" that are written inside the frame of the compass clock. As the Shar‘ (Divine Law) dictates, these phrases are intended to glorify, exalt and praise Allah. They are the key to entering Islam and serves as a sign of Iman (faith) and a declaration that renders the blood and wealth of a person inviolable. They are not intended to be written on appliances, clocks, or machines that indicate directions. Using them in such a manner is a deviation from their original purpose that may lead to abusing them. (Part No. 4; Page No. 54) Clocks are used for an intended purpose that has nothing to do with writing these Ayahs or Adhkar (invocations and remembrances of Allah) on them. The real purpose of writing this is to attract buyers and boost sales. It might eventually lead to Tabarruk (seeking blessings) from them and taking them as amulets for protection from harm.Based on all the above, we therefore have decided to prohibit importing these clocks since they include the abovementioned writings.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.