Public divided on Ban of Qur’an Mobile Ringtones

Wednesday, 07 November 2007
By Kholood F. Al-Rhamah

JEDDAH - People interviewed by Saudi Gazette were torn about following the recent ruling by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh that prohibited Qur'anic verses or recitation on mobile phones for recreational purposes.

The ruling came during the session of the Islamic Fiqh Council, which entertained three papers alone regarding the "misuse of Qur'anic verses for communication purposes." The reason given by the Mufti was that the Holy Qur'an is the greatest gift for all Muslims and humanity, and should be used with dignity, full respect and appreciation. Moreover, it has been preserved from any change or altering of its morality.

Still, people were divided for and against the ruling.

Ibrahim Al-Khalaf, an Islamic studies teacher at Ali Bin Abi Talib school in Madina, considered the ruling fair and totally appropriate.

"I consider adding Qur'anic verses as ringtones on mobiles an insult to the holiness of the Qur'an, especially if the person enters the bathroom with [his phone]," he said. "This is not what the Qur'an is for. People should use human voices instead and avoid conflicts about other ringtones."

Another supporter, Asmaa Ayoub Al-Dahlawi, said she was behind the ruling "100 percent."
"Allah's words should be respected and should not be substituted for people who don't want to use musical tunes ... which are already there on the mobile," she said.

Eman Rabeea Hasan is also with the ruling and supporting it totally, although with one special qualification.

"The verses of the Qur'an are holy, so it shouldn't be cut when someone calls, but it is OK for me to use supplication as a ring tone," she said. "It is better than musical rings. At least supplications are better than music when it rings in public and disturbs other people."

On the other hand, Waleed Hamid said he is not supporting the ruling because it is not logical.

"If we were not supposed to put music in our phones, and then substituting it with Qur'anic verses will not be allowed, then what should we do?" he asked.

Abdullah Al-Jassem is also against the ruling and doesn't see a problem in adding Qur'anic verses as his mobile's ring.

"I think it is better because it always reminds us of worship, and if I did that I'm certainly not going to take it with me to unrespectable places," he said.