Islamic laws Pertaining to the Use of the Cellular Phone

8/8/2019 Islamic laws Pertaining to the Use of the Cellular Phone

1/43

^ /mb / m m

Laws pertaining to the use of

The

Cellular phone

By Mufti Muhammad Salmaan Mansurpuri


2/43

ContentsPREFACE................................................................. 1

INTRODUCTION...................................................... 4 THE CELLULAR PHONE...................................................4QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE USE OF ACELL PHONE ................................................................ 9

(1) SWITCHING OFF THE CELL-PHONE IN SALAAH.............10(2) A` MAL-E -Q ALEELAND A` MAL-E -K ATHEER ................11(3) CELL-PHONE REPEATEDLY RINGING IN SALAAH............12(4) HOW MANY TIMES MAY THE MUSALLI CUT THE CALL?..12(5) BREAKING ONES SALAAH TO SWITCH OFF THE PHONE.14(6) HAVING THEADHAAN OR THE VERSES OF THEQ URAAN, SALAAM, NAATHS AS A RING TONE................................15

(7) HAVING A MUSICAL RING TONE...............................17(8) LISTENING TO MUSIC BY MEANS OF THE CELLULAR PHONE...............................................................................17(9) MUSICAL RING TONES ON THE ANSWERING END.........18(10) WATCHING A FILM ON ONES CELL-PHONE ..............19(11) WATCHING CRICKET, SOCCER OR OTHER SPORTS ON ACELL-PHONE ..............................................................20(12) PLAYING GAMES ON THE CELL-PHONE.....................21(13) LISTENING TODEENI TALKS ON ONES CELL-PHONE ...22(15) DOWNLOADING THEQ URAAN ORHADITH ON THECELL-PHONE ..............................................................24

(16) TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS WITH A CELL-PHONE............25


3/43

(17) PURCHASING A CAMERA PHONE............................26(18) A TRAVELLER CHARGING HIS PHONE IN THEMUSJID..27(19) CHARGING ONES PHONE AT THE AIRPORT...............28

(20) PEOPLE CHARGING THEIR PHONES IN THEIR LOCALMUSJID.....................................................................28(21) A MU`TAKIF CHARGING HIS PHONE IN THEMUSJID...29(22) TAPING SOMEONE ON THE CELL-PHONE WITHOUT HISCONSENT..................................................................30(23) ISSUING A DIVORCE THROUGH THE CELL-PHONE .......31(24) A MU`TAKIF DEALING ON THE CELL-PHONE ..............31(25) AVOIDING THE CREDITOR AND THEAUTO SWITCH OFF PROGRAM.................................................................32(26) USING A CELL-PHONE MORE THAN NECESSARY.........33(27) ANNOYING SOMEONE WITH THE PHONE.................34

(28) GIVING SOMEONE A MISSED CALL..........................35(29) RELATIONSHIPS OVER THE CELL-PHONE...................37(30) BUYING AND SELLING CELL-PHONES ANDDOWNLOADING.........................................................38(31) ANSWERING THE PHONE IN THE TOILET...................39(32) COMMUNICATING ON MIXIT.................................40(33) USING ANONYMOUS NAMES.................................40


4/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 1

Bismihi TaalaPreface

The cell-phone, an inseparable instrument of present day life, has now reached the hands of all and sundry. Men, women, children, the richthe poor - all face the challenge of the cell-phone. This mobile tsunami has not sparedanyone.

The cell-phone companies are untiringly

competing and offering new schemes andpackages in a sinister attempt to lead customersinto upgrading their phones and contracts. Dailythe market is flooded with a range of phoneswith many new features and functions.

The cell-phone has moved on from being anecessity to becoming a compendium of vainentertainment. In ones pocket is no more just aphone. Rather, a radio, tape recorder, camera,video, T.V. and even the internet is included


5/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 2

therein. As small as it is, this phone now has thecapacity to give birth to a host of evils and vices.

Tragically, the cell-phone has wrecked the livesof many innocent and chaste young people whohail from respectable homes. Photography and

filming has become even more rife and common.With the earplug to the phone, many peopleperpetually listen to music (thus sowing in themthe seeds of hypocrisy). The filth and garbagespewed on the net is now accessible in the palm

of ones hand. As a result priceless hours arebeing burnt away on useless entertainment andgames.

Undoubtedly, there are those who strictly usethe cell-phone when necessary. Even in suchcases the limitations of Shariah are oftenoverstepped and at times completely ignored. Acommon example is that of the musical ringtone. The sad part is the self-justification when


6/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 3

one is corrected or informed of the act beingimpermissible.

For a long time I wished that someone wouldshed some Shar`ee light on the cell-phone itself and the various related masaail. I am greatly

indebted to Moulana, Mufti Irtidaa-ul-Haq HasanSaheb, an Ustaad at Mazaahirul UloomSaharanpur. Mufti Saheb had obtained and madeavailable a questionnaire consisting of thirty cell-phone related istiftaas (queries). The

questionnaire was prepared by a student of Mazaahirul Uloom, Molvi Muhammad SalmaanMadraasi, and answered by the Darul Iftaa.These questions and answers are beingpresented for the benefit of the readers.

Mufti Muhammad Salmaan Mansurpuri


7/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 4

IntroductionThe cellular phoneIt is an undoubted fact that the incorrect use of the cellular phone has caused and continues to

cause great harm to the Ummah. It is perhaps forthis reason that those who are against the use of the cellular phone become even more staunch intheir view with each passing day.

With regards to the harms, consider for instance

the situation of a student of Deen (or any otherstudent). He needs to have complete devotion,dedication and solitude. Thus, what good canthere ever be for a student to possess a cell-phone whereas having many associations and

being in contact with many people is a fatalpoison for his ta`leem and tarbiyat (nurturing).Apart from this, the cell-phone will be anadditional financial burden on him.


8/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 5

Another severe harm of the cell-phone is thatsuch people who generally do not go to publicplaces to listen to music, view haraam films orwatch other futile things, etc. out of shame andembarrassment, have found an easy and direct

tool to engage in these vices.Likewise, despite numerous announcements inthe masaajid, the sound of someones cell-phoneinvariably destroys the sanctity of the musjid inalmost every salaah.

Yet another great harm of the camera phone isthat people are able to very easily take photos of animate objects and other impermissible things.

Nowadays with the new cell-phones, one caneasily connect onto the internet. Fitnah andimmorality is now knocking on the doors of ourhomes, the places of Ilm and even the places of Ibaadah. The heart of any Allah consciousMumin will shiver just at the thought of it.


9/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 6

In short, among the inventions of the west, thislittle item has wreaked such havoc which otherbigger inventions have not done. By means of the phone, weakness is very swiftly entering ourDeen and Akhlaaq. How pleased the enemies of

Islam must be to witness this?Despite all these harms, it is still neverthelesspossible for one to use the cell-phone in such away that he is protected from its evils. It is notnecessary that one must get involved in all or

even some of its evils. Due to this, the Ulama areof the opinion that to declare a general ruling of impermissibility for the use of the cellular phoneis incorrect. It is also incorrect to say that thepeople of virtue and taqwa who use a cell-phone

are void of piety.For example, if a person sets his cellular phoneon a completely normal ring (without anymusical tone), switches it off at the time of salaah, stays away from playing futile games on


10/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 7

it, does not waste his valuable time and moneywatching cricket matches, etc., then none cancompel such a person not to use it. It is incorrectto say that if a person has a cell-phone, thenmost definitely he will be entrapped with all its

evils and harms.There are nevertheless, in this period of immense fitnah, thousands of Allah fearingpeople who are using the cell-phone within thelimits of shariah. They strictly follow the principle

that Necessity must be restricted to the extentof necessity. Thus, they are an example toothers and are worthy of congratulations.

This booklet is a detailed discussion of the limitsand restrictions within which one can use thecell-phone. The various laws pertaining to its useare mentioned. It is necessary that every Muslimabides by these laws so that he may continuefulfilling the purpose of his creation (which is torecognize Allah Ta`ala and worship Him).


11/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 8

Furthermore, abiding by these laws will deterthose who use the cell-phone as a tool for thedestruction of Akhlaaq (character) and a meansof spreading spiritual diseases.

This booklet is, in fact, a compilation of all those

questions that are posed regarding the use of thecellular phone. Reliable Muftis have given theirdetailed answers to these questions.

With the taufeeq of Allah Taàla, as well as theinsistence of some sincere friends, it came intothe heart of the author, after witnessing themisuse of the cell-phone, that these masaailmust be referred to the Muftis and thereaftermade available to the public.

In conclusion I make dua to Allah Taàla that Heaccept this humble effort and make it beneficialfor the ummah. May Allah Taàla protect all theMuslims, especially our youth from the fitnahsand ploys of the forces of baatil . Aameen.


12/43

^ /mb / m m

Questions

related to theuse of a

Cell phone


13/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 10

(1) Switching off the cell-phone in salaahQuestion: If ones cell-phone rings during salaahwhat should he do? Should he break his salaah?Should he switch off the cell-phone whilst in

salaah? Should he continue and allow the phoneto ring?

Answer: First of all, it is imperative to inculcatethe habit of switching off the cell-phone beforesalaah. If one forgot to do so and the phone

starts ringing, then with a slight movement(a`mal-e-qaleel ) one should cut the call. Forexample, one cuts the call by placing his hand inhis pocket. The salaah is still valid. There is noneed to break the salaah. If one allows the phone

to continue ringing, his salaah will be valid.However, he will be guilty (sinful) for disturbingothers in salaah 1.

1

.


14/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 11

(2) A`mal-e-Qaleel and A`mal-e-Katheer Question: Please explain a`mal-e-qaleel anda`mal-e-katheer .

Answer: The Fuqahaa-e-Kiraam have differed indefining a`mal-e-qaleel and a`mal-e-katheer . Thepreferred opinion is that any action which givesthe impression to the onlooker that one is not insalaah is a`mal-e-katheer . Hence, if one's actionis not so noticeable then it is a`mal-e-qaleel 2.

: DCDC

. DC: . DC:

. : ) .D

C

/. ( 2 : .

: DC .DC: .DCDC: .)DC/

. (


15/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 12

(3) Cell-phone repeatedly ringing insalaah

Question: What should one do if his phone ringsrepeatedly in salaah? After cutting the call it

rings again. Can one cut the call a second time?Anwer: One may repeatedly cut the call providedones action was a`mal-e-qaleel . If one's action of repeatedly cutting off the call becomes clearlynoticeable to the extent that an onlooker mayfeel that he is not in salaah then the salaah willbe nullified 3.

(4) How many times may the musalli cutthe call?

Question: How many times may one cut the callin the same posture? How many times may one

3 .

) .DC/. (


16/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 13

cut the call for the entire duration of Salaah?What is the position of ones salaah if he cuts acall three times in the same posture?

Answer: Undoubtedly one is allowed to cut thecall three times provided it was with minimalaction ( a`mal-e-qaleel ). The salaah is validwhether it was all done while in the sameposture or in more than one posture.

Note: (1) The three movements should not beconsecutive. (2) The three movements should atleast be spaced out for the time wherein onecould recite Subhana Rabbial A`laa more thanthree times. If the three movements all tookplace in a time span equal to the duration of

reciting three tasbeehs or less, then according toone view this is a`mal-e-katheer which


17/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 14

invalidates the salaah. Therefore, precaution isnecessary 4.

(5) Breaking ones salaah to switch off the phone

Question: A person is unable to cut the call witha`mal-e-qaleel . If he allows it to ring, his salaahas well as the salaah of the musallees will bedisturbed. In this case can he break his salaahand switch off his phone so that the salaahcontinues peacefully?

Answer: If one cannot cut the call with a`mal-e-qaleel then despite the disturbance he cannotbreak his salaah. The breaking of salaah is

exclusive to certain conditions. Disturbance insalaah is not a valid shar`ee excuse to break

4 :

) .D C/(.


18/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 15

ones salaah5

. (Nevertheless, one will be guilty of having disturbed the salaah of the congregation.Therefore, one should ensure that ones phone isswitched off before commencing his salaah.)

(6) Having the Adhaan or the verses of the Quraan, Salaam, Naaths as a ringtone

Question: What is the ruling with regards tohaving the Adhaan or any verse of the Quraan asthe ring tone on ones cellular phone?

Answer: The purpose of the ring tone on aphone is to inform you that somebody wishes tospeak to you. It is like a person knocking at yourdoor. To use the Adhaan or a verse of theQuraan for the purpose of this information is

5 DC:

. . . .)DC/. (


19/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 16

inappropriate. It is disrespectful to use theresacred words in this manner. It is for this reasonthat the Fuqahaa have forbidden the use of thewords of zikr for such purposes. Therefore, it isincorrect to download the Adhaan, naaths or

verses of the Quraan as a ring tone.

Furthermore, sometimes ones phone suddenlystarts ringing whilst one is in the toilet. As aresult, verses of the Quraan or the Adhaan arerecited in the toilet. This is gross disrespect tothese sacred words. Hence, one shouldcompletely refrain from having such ring tones.Merely set your phone on a normal ring tone 6.

6 D

C)DC/. ( .

. : :D


20/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 17

(7) Having a musical ring toneQuestion: Is it permissible to have a musical ringtone?

Answer: It is impermissible and a severe sin tohave a musical ring tone on ones cellularphone 7.

(8) Listening to music by means of thecellular phone

Question: Is it permissible to listen to music froma cell-phone? There are no pictures with themusic.

C: .)D C :D C/. (

7 :D : C) .D C /(.

) .DC/(.


21/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 18

Answer: Listening to music is Haraam, whether itis from a cell-phone or from any otherinstrument, whether with pictures or withoutpictures 8.

(9) Musical ring tones on the answeringend

Question: Zaid calls Amr, but upon dialling Amrsnumber he hears a musical ring or music (as isthe case when one is put on hold). Is itpermissible to continue with the call or must heterminate the call? Furthermore, what is Amrsposition in setting such a tone that those whocall him are forced to listen to music?

8 :D C.)DC/(. ) .DC

/(.


22/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 19

Answer: To set such a tone on ones phone thatthose who call one are forced to listen to musicis totally impermissible. One is not onlycommitting a sin, this is also propagation of a sinto others. Nevertheless, if one needs to call

somebody and is forced to hear music on theother end, one will not be sinful (the sin will beon the other party). 9

(10) Watching a film on ones cell-phone

Question: Is it permissible to watch a film on thecell-phone?

Answer: This is forbidden, whether on the cell-phone or any other media. Allah Ta`ala declares:

Do not come

9 :D .

C.)D C/(.


23/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 20

close to immorality, whatever of it is apparent orhidden (Surah An`aam). 10

(11) Watching cricket, soccer or othersports on a cell-phone

Question: Can one watch cricket on onesphone?

Answer: Watching cricket on ones phone is afutile act and a waste of precious time. Often

acts of sin are also perpetrated when advertswith immoral pictures are viewed during thematch. Generally, people cannot turn their eyesaway when any un-Islamic aspect will be aired.Hadhrat Abu Hurairah has reported that

Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Thebeauty of ones Islam is that he forsakes futile

10

D C/.


24/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 21

actions. (Shu`abul Imaan, Fatawaa Raheemiyah,vol 10, pg 326) 11

(12) Playing games on the cell-phone

Question: Can one play games on the cell-phone?

Answer: Playing games on the cell-phone is alsoa futile act and a waste of time. It is necessary torefrain from it. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said: It is the dictatesof ones Islam that he forsakes futile acts. 12

11 : :D C.)D C:.:D

C/D C/(.12 : :D

C.)D C:. (


25/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 22

(13) Listening to Deeni talks on onescell-phone

Question: Can one listen to Deeni talks or therecitation of naaths on ones phone, with visualson the screen or without it?

Answer: Listening to Deeni talks and permissiblenaaths is allowed, provided it is not accompaniedby pictures. 13

(14) To display the name of Allah orRasulullah bbb b on the screen of the cell-

phone

Question: Is it permissible to display the name of

Allah or Rasulullah b or any Quraanic aayator a picture of the Ka`bah Shareef or the GreenDome of Madinah Munawwarah, or any othersacred place on ones cell-phone? Can one go

13

:D C/D C/. (


26/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 23

into the toilet with such a phone or keep it in hispants pocket?

Answer: In principle, displaying the names of Allah Ta`ala and His Rasul b or any Quraanicverse, etc., is permissible. However, if the namesare displayed on the screen, it is not permissibleto go into the toilet with it. Before going to thetoilet one should switch off the phone so thatthese sacred names and verses are notdisrespected. Likewise, if these sacred names orverses are visibly displayed on the screen, to putthe phone in ones pants pocket will amount todisrespect 14 .

14

.)DC/(.


27/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 24

(15) Downloading the Quraan or Hadithon the cell-phone

Question: Is it permissible to download the textof the Quraan, Hadith or any duas, etc., on onesphone? Can one go into the toilet with such aphone, or any other unclean place?

Answer: There is no harm in downloading suchtexts onto ones phone. Nevertheless, if the textsare being played on the phone or the text isvisible, it will not be permissible to go into thetoilet with it. If the phone is switched off, or theparticular program is not being played and notexts are visible on the screen, it will bepermissible to go into the toilet with it. (Shaami,vol 9, pg 519). 15

15

.)DC /(.


28/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 25

(16) Taking photographs with a cell-phone

Question: What is the Shar`ee ruling on thefollowing:

1. Taking photographs of animate objects bymeans of a cell-phone.2. Having such photographs stored on onescell-phone.3. Performing Salaah with a cell-phone inones pocket wherein one has pictures of animate objects saved on his phone.

Answer: According to most Ulama, it is notpermissible to take pictures of animate objects

with a cell-phone. However, the pictures aresaved on the phone in such a manner that untilthat particular file is not opened, the picture isnot visible, then, Salaah performed with thephone in ones pocket will be valid. Furthermore,

generally the picture on the screen is very small


29/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 26

and unclear. If it is displayed in this manner it willnot invalidate the Salaah, especially when itremains covered in the pocket. 16

(17) Purchasing a camera phone

Question: Is it permissible to buy a cameraphone, considering the fact that phones withoutcameras are also available and fulfil the purposeof a phone?

Answer: Since the camera phone can also be

used to take permissible pictures, such aspictures of inanimate objects, the purchase of such a phone will not be deemedimpermissible. 17

16 .)DC/(. .)DC

/(.17 .)D C D

C/(.


30/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 27

(18) A traveller charging his phone in theMusjid

Question: If a traveller, such as one who is outon a journey to propagate Deen, or is a delegateof a Madrasah etc., spends the night at a Musjid,out of necessity, can he use the Musjid electricityto charge his phone?

Answer: If one has used the Musjid electricity forthis purpose, then it is better for him to depositsome amount into the Musjid fund. This isnecessary since one has used the electricity of the Musjid for ones specific personal benefit,apart from the facilities of the Musjid which hasbeen provided. Therefore, the Musjid must becompensated for this. 18

18

.)D CDC/(.


31/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 28

(19) Charging ones phone at the airportQuestion: If one has the intention to travel buthas merely gone to the airport or station to pickup a passenger, can one use the electricity of theairport or station to charge ones phone?

Answer: This is permissible since the facilities of the airport or station are for passengers as wellas others who come to these places to pick uppassengers, or for any other work. 19

(20) People charging their phones in theirlocal musjid

Question: What is the ruling for charging onesphone in the local musjid?

19:

.)D C/(.


32/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 29

Answer: It is incorrect for one to charge onesphone in the local musjid. If someone did do so,then it is incumbent on him to deposit somemoney into the Musjid fund. 20

(21) A Mu`takif charging his phone in theMusjid

Question: Can a mu`takif (one sitting in I`tikaaf)charge his phone using the plug and electricity of the Musjid?

Answer: Out of necessity he may do so. As aprecaution he should estimate how muchelectricity he used and donate the money to theMusjid. 21

20 .)D C/(. .)D CDC/(.

21 :

:


33/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 30

(22) Taping someone on the cell-phonewithout his consent

Question: Can one tape someones conversationon his cell-phone without his/her permission?

Answer: Generally, it is prohibited to tapesomeone without consent or approval.Rasulullah b said: Whatever was spoken in ameeting is trust. Hence, taping someonewithout his consent will result in the breaking of trust, since there is great possibility of otherslistening to the conversation. 22

: D C.)D C

/(.22 :D

C.)D/(. :D


34/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 31

(23) Issuing a divorce through the cell-phone

Question: A person divorced his wife by meansof sending an sms to her. Is the talaaq valid?

Answer: If the husband acknowledges that hedivorced her by sending the sms the talaaq willbe valid. 23

(24) A mu`takif dealing on the cell-phone

Question: Whilst in I`tikaaf someone conducteda business deal over the cell-phone. Is thispermissible? Is the business transaction correct?

C .)DC(.

23 : :

.)DCDC/(.


35/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 32

Answer: The business dealings made by themu`takif are valid. However, it is preferable toabstain from such worldly activities whilst inI`tkaaf. It is detestable to be constantly occupiedin material whilst in I`tikaaf. 24

(25) Avoiding the creditor and the autoswitch off program

Question: A cell-phone can be programmed suchthat it avoids certain incoming calls. Wheneversuch a person phones whose number is barred,the cell-phone gives the false impression that theline is busy or the phone is off. Can a debtor usesuch a dubious program to avoid his creditor?

24) ( . .

DC

)D C /(.


36/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 33

Answer: According to Shariah avoiding anddelaying payment is oppression. Whatever waysa person adopts to avoid his creditor isimpermissible. Hence, to set the phone in such amanner that one avoids the creditor is

impermissible. If necessary, one should ask onescreditor for more time. 25

(26) Using a cell-phone more thannecessary

Question: A company provides two of itsemployees with the free use of a cell-phone.There is no restriction regarding the usage of their phones. As employees of the firm, shouldthey use the phone only when necessary or arethey allowed (in Shariah) to unnecessarily calleach other?

25 : :D C.)DC/DC/(.


37/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 34

Answer: There is no prohibition regarding theunnecessary calls since the company has allowedunrestricted usage of the phones. However, it isincorrect to engage in idle talk whether on thephone or not. Hadhrat Mugheerah bin Shu`bah

D narrates that Rasulullah b has prohibitedidle talk, unnecessary questions and the wastageof wealth. 26

(27) Annoying someone with the phone

Question: Zaid wishes to annoy Amr. Hence, hedials Amrs number and after one or two rings hecuts the call. Please comment regarding such anaction in the light of Shariah.

Answer: To deliberately annoy someone byphoning him and then cutting the call is sinfuland impermissible. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah D

26 :

.)D C:(.


38/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 35

narrates that Rasulullah b said: A Muslim is hewho other Muslims are safe from the harm of histongue and his hand. 27

(28) Giving someone a missed call

Question: Zaid does not want to spend moneyon making a call. Therefore, he gives Amr amissed call so that Amr may phone him back. Isthis permissible?

Answer: The details regarding giving someone amissed call are as follows:

1) If the person is aware that you are going togive him a missed call and he does notmind then it is permissible.

27 : :D C.)D /:D C

/(.


39/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 36

2) Though the person was not expecting themissed call, the caller knows that he wouldnot mind or be inconvenienced with themissed call. In this case his missed call ispermissible.

3) If it is a stranger and one does not know if he would mind phoning back or not, thento make him call you would be incorrect.

4) Similarly, it would be incorrect to miss callsomeone whom you know will be

inconvenienced by phoning you back.28

28 : .

) .D C/(.


40/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 37

(29) Relationships over the cell-phoneQuestion: A cell-phone company sends a phonenumber to its customers. The customers areincited to phone this number whereby they mayget to speak with others. In this manner thecompany induces its clients to introducethemselves to one another. Often this results inconversations between males and females.Please comment.

Answer: It is Haraam to befriend strange womenwhether on the phone or otherwise. This is thekey to immorality and vice, apart from thepriceless time wasted in this useless pursuit. 29

29 DC DCDC

) .D C

(.


41/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 38

(30) Buying and selling cell-phones anddownloading

Question: Nowadays the cell-phone trade is onthe increase. Apart from buying and sellingphones, repairing and downloading material onphones has also become very common. First of all there are the cell-phones with cameras andscreensavers. How is it to sell or repair suchphones? Then there are companies who sellvarious musical ring tones and screen savers.Whilst some of the screensavers consist of beautiful scenes, there are others which arecompletely immoral. As per request thesepictures and musical ring tones are sent to theclients. Is it permissible to sell such items or tofacilitate the trade of cell-phones in ones shopor to hire out premises for such a shop orservice?


42/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 39

Answer: The mere buying, selling and repairingof cell-phones is permissible. Likewise,downloading programs which are beneficial andwithin the framework of Shariah is alsopermissible. However, Shariah does not allow

the downloading of music and immoral picturesunder any circumstance. The income received byselling or hiring immoral activity is Haraam. 30

(31) Answering the phone in the toilet

Question: What should I do if I am in the toiletand the phone rings?Answer: If necessary one may merely make thecaller aware that he is occupied at the moment.

30 ) .DC/(.

) .DC/(.


43/43

Masaail-e-Mobile 40

(32) Communicating on MixitQuestion: Is it permissible for one tocommunicate with friends on the mxit, facebookand other chat sites?Answer: Mixit, facebook and all chat sites arenotorious for illicit chatting and impermissiblecommunication. Any person using these sitesbecomes automatically associated with the illicithappenings and is therefore looked upon withcontempt. We have been commanded to refrainfrom areas of doubt and suspicion. Thereforeusing such sites must be totally refrained from.

(33) Using anonymous names

Question: Whilst chatting with others on themixit, is it permissible for me to use ananonymous name so that others do not knowexactly who they are chatting with?Answer: No. It is not permissible to do so.

Documents

Islamic laws Pertaining to the Use of the Cellular Phone