Using Allah’s Name to Forbid Something: Is it Permissible?

Invoking Allah’s Name to Prohibit: Understanding the Islamic Perspective

Question: If someone forbids others from touching their belongings by invoking the name of Allah, saying “For the sake of Allah, do not touch my belongings or eat my sweets,” is there any issue with this? If someone does touch or eat after being prohibited, will they be sinful?

Answer: It is not appropriate to invoke the name of Allah to forbid something, as Islam discourages using Allah’s name for such matters. If someone wishes to prohibit something, they should do so without invoking Allah’s name. Whether or not Allah’s name is invoked, people should refrain from touching or using prohibited items. If someone does not stop and touches or uses the item, it constitutes a breach of trust. Using someone’s belongings without permission, especially after they have been explicitly prohibited, goes against the principles of trust and honesty. Simply touching someone’s belongings is not a sin, but using or consuming the item without permission is a violation.

Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah 

Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia  

Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail