Prayer rugs bearing the Name of Allah

Fatwa no. 1614 All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon the Last of the Prophets.The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ has examined the question sent to His Eminence, the General Chairman, from the General Manager of Customs, that was referred to them by the Secretariat General of the Council of Senior Scholars.The question is: Various prayer rugs of different sizes are being imported and brought to the customs. Some of the employees are inquiring about the permissibility of (Part No. 4; Page No. 72) allowing the entry of these rugs that have the Name of Allah or His Messenger (peace be upon him) on them. As shown in the attached sample, these rugs are designed to be hung on the walls and not to be put on the floor.

After discussing the question, the Committee gave the following answer:It is not permissible to allow the entry of such rugs on which the Name of Allah or His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been written due to the desecration that may result from using them for floor coverings and praying on them. Not all people who have such rugs will be committed to hanging them on walls (as tapestry). Accordingly, it is necessary to apply the rule established by Shari‘ah (Islamic law) that commands blocking the means that may lead to violation of sanctities.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.