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Many of us hear the various ringtones that play out when we are in the Masjid, or perhaps at an Islamic event such as a bayaan or halaqaa. We get annoyed and find it extremely disrespectful and rude to hear the voices of Jay-Z or One Republic blaring during a khutbah. So it was a pleasant change, and not found nearly as disrespectful, when people started to download Ayahs (verses) of the Quran or the Adhaan (call to prayer) as ringtones.  However, one of the most senior authorities in Sunni Islam has stated his disapproval of ringtones that feature verses from the Qur'an and the call to prayer.

Sheikh Ali Gomaa has issued a fatwa - a kind of Islamic recommendation – rejecting the idea of the use of the Qur'an in ringtones.

Ali Gomaa is not the first to bring this point up. There have been many Sheikhs and Scholars who had previously suggested the same ideas. However, many people are still sceptical. From their point of view, what could possibly be wrong with listening to a verse of the Quran?

"By using Quran verses as ringtones we undermine this legitimacy and limit it to a phone call. Quranic verses are interrupted and meanings are often truncated when the reciting stop as we answer the phone call. The calls to prayer are to announce it is time ... using it as a ringtone is confusing and misleading."

Many of us have these ringtones ourselves, or know of others who have them. Let us spread the word and inform our friends and families of the repercussions of their actions. Changing the words of Allah, even unintentionally, is sinful (to the best of my knowledge) and should be avoided at all costs—especially if the matter is in our hands.

 Ali Gomaa is very strict on his position and, for those insisting their ringtones have an Islamic character, he suggested they use Islamic hymns (Nasheeds etc.) or religious prose.

"God's words are sacred. ... He ordered us to respect them and glorify them," Gomaa said.
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Comments

AH
01/30/2010 8:41pm

I didn't really think of many points brought up by this article. JazakAllah for the post.

Reply
...
01/30/2010 10:22pm

okay, but the idea is that hearing your phone will allow you to remember Allah - before you answer that phone you'll think twice about the kind of conversation you were planning to have. what's so wrong with that?

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Shaheena
01/31/2010 3:01am

As i mentioned in the article,

"By using Quran verses as ringtones we undermine this legitimacy and limit it to a phone call. Quranic verses are interrupted and meanings are often truncated when the reciting stop as we answer the phone call. The calls to prayer are to announce it is time ... using it as a ringtone is confusing and misleading"

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