Can I Write the Qur’an on a Hijab for an Art Project?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Assalamu ‘Alaykum.

I have an art project for school in which I’m supposed to do a self-portrait. I convinced my teacher that I wouldn’t be drawing my face, and I told her my alternative idea of writing literature in Arabic and English on cloth tied as a hijab on a face-less head mannequin. My idea got approved.

However, now I’m in a slight rut because I’m not sure if I can write the Qur’an on this cloth. Will it be disrespectful to use the Qur’an as a literary extract for this project?

Answer

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

No, writing the Qur’an on the hijab for this purpose should not be done. The Qur’an is a book of guidance from God. It deserves the highest form of reverence. Using it for an art project in this way is not in line with that reverence.

You can write something non-religious in Arabic, such as some wise statements or poetry. This may work better and be better suited to the project. 

Perhaps you can find inspiration from the words of the contemporary bi-lingual Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. He has several works in Arabic and English.

Honor the Qur’an, ask Allah for success, and intend to benefit Allah’s creation through your studies long term. You’ll see much good.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.