Rulings Regarding Selling and Displaying Islamic Wall Stickers

Answered by Sidi Wasim Shiliwala

Question: Assalamu alaykum,

1. Can you inform me of the ruling on whether having an online business selling Islamic wall stickers is permissible. My concern was that if I were to begin to post these out then 1. It may be disrespectful on the kalam of Allah. 2. Non-Muslims may purchase these and display them where immoral acts occur.

2. What the ruling on displaying these types of Islamic wall stickers in the bedroom? (i.e. where one would be having sexual relations, etc.)

Answer: As-salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah,

Purchasing Islamic Wall Stickers

Generally speaking, there is nothing disliked or haraam in purchasing or posting Islamic wall stickers. If done with a proper intention, such as being a consistent reminder of Allah’s favor upon one, it can be a highly praiseworthy act. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Actions are by their intentions.” [Sahih Bukhari & Muslim]

Selling Items That Could be Used for Sin

As for your concern regarding what non-Muslims might do with these stickers, the seller in this case would not be responsible for the potential misuse of an item. It is only sinful to sell an item when it is haraam (such as wine) or is specifically used in a haraam act (such as selling weapons to brigands). [ibn `Abidin, al-Durr al-Mukhtar]

Aside from these cases, it is permissible to sell any item, even if it’s possible that such an item could be used for haraam ends (such as selling grapes or iron, from which wine or weapons could be made). Once the buyer is in possession of an item, the seller has no control over what is done with it, nor can they be held responsible for anything done with it.

So in your example, it is halal for that person to sell Islamic wall stickers.

Qur’anic Verses in the Bedroom

As for the question of displaying Islamic stickers (or any calligraphy) in one’s bedroom (wherein sexual relations occur), I asked Jordanian Hanafi scholar Dr. Salah Abu al-Hajj. He mentioned that it is permissible, but other than what’s best (khilaf al-awla). So while it is not sinful to hang such a poster hung in your room, it is better adab to hang it elsewhere. And Allah knows best.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan,
-Wasim

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani