Notepads, books and our negative attitude
Umm-e-Noor ‘Attariyyah
Our homes contain many papers; the children’s old notepads, old utility bills, newspapers, and the food that we buy from the shop, for example, the packaging that is used for chapattis etc. Some foods and drinks even come with packaging which has clear writing on it. Sometimes there are pages from Islamic or Urdu books that contain the name of Allah, the name of the Beloved Prophet, the mention of the Sahaba or a Wali, and people do not respect these books, or children pick them up and desecrate them by tearing them. Some people even exceed the disrespect shown by children and throw these papers in the dustbin. Remember! Even if there are no Islamic statements written on a piece of paper, it should still be respected, regardless of whether it is written in English, Urdu or any other language; the Shari’ah teaches us to respect every word and every language.
My Shaykh-e-Tareeqat, Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat Allamah Ilyas Qadiri دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ writes the following: ‘Nowadays, the newspapers contain ‘بِسْمِ الله الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْم’, blessed verses, blessed Ahadees and Islamic discussions, and people sell them to the waste collectors just for a few coins. With great regret! These newspapers are sometimes even seen in sewage pipes. If only we are granted the proper etiquette for these sacred papers. Some people separate the religious articles and use the rest of the newspaper for packaging and other purposes, and then convince themselves that they have not committed any disrespect. It is my request to such people that they place the entire newspaper into the sea, for the news items and advertisements often contain Islamic names, and they usually contain the words ‘Allah’ and ‘Muhammad’; for example, ‘Abdullah’, ‘Abdul Rahman’, ‘Ghulam Muhammad’, etc.
Whether it is Urdu or Sindhi, English or Hindi, all newspapers that are published in all languages across the globe have the possibility of containing a sacred name. In fact, every letter of every alphabet of every language should be respected, because according to the author of Tafseer-e-Saawi, all spoken languages are divinely inspired (Ilhaami). (Tafseer-e-Saawi, vol. 1, p. 30) Therefore, safety lies in respecting them. Allah Almighty will surely grant you reward for this display of respect.’ (Tafseer-e-Saawi, vol. 1, p. 30 – Faizan-e-Bismillah, p. 121 Selective)
So, my dear Islamic sisters! Place the newspapers and those papers that are sent to your house in a safe place, and likewise, the school books of your children which contain their work, and in which they write their homework. Similarly, take care of the syllabi that your children have previously studied and those books which have now become old, and do not sell them to the waste collectors. Rather, keep them at home or have them deposited in the container for sacred literature that is placed in the street through a child or a Mahram of the house.
اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه, a department of Dawat-e-Islam known as ‘Majlis-e-Tahaffuz-e-Awraq-e-Muqaddasah has been established for the preservation and proper disposal of sacred literature. Under this department, many boxes have been placed in many areas, in which sacred literature can be deposited, and then the Islamic brothers of this department place them in the sea or bury them in an appropriate place of respect. Dear Islamic sisters! You can aid this department by collecting papers like this in the house and having them deposited in one of these boxes through a child who has understanding or a Mahram.
Remember: The one who possesses manners is fortunate, and the one who lacks manners is unfortunate!
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