297. The REALITY Of Loh e Qur’aani

By Asma Bint Shameem

The REALITY of Loh e Qur’aani

 “Loh e Qur’aani” is actually a collection of certain words from the Qur’aan called “al-Huroof al-Muqatta’ah” written on a plaque or painting, etc. 

“Al-Huroof al-Muqatta’ah” is the name given to a group of letters which appear at the beginning of certain Surahs of the Qur’aan. 

For example: “Alif Laam Meem” at the beginning of Surah al-Baqarah and others. Or “Alif Laam Raa” at the beginning of Surah Yunus, or 

“Taa Seen” at the beginning of Surah an-Naml and so on. 

What do these letters mean?

It is not known that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam interpreted these Huroof Muqatta’ah or explained their meanings to the Sahaabah. 

And that’s why many of the Sahaabah and others after them, abstained from talking about them or attempt to interpret them. 

Those who did attempt to explain them had various different opinions. 

But no one can really say for sure  what they mean. 

Only Allaah holds the true knowledge of these letters. 

Are these letters ‘SPECIAL’ or have ‘SECRETS’ behind them?

The WHOLE of the Qur’aan, EACH  and EVERY WORD is ‘SPECIAL’ and there are NO ‘SECRET MEANINGS’ hidden behind these Huroof, as some ignorant people claim. 

Can I read these “Huroof al-Muqatta’aat” by themselves?

As for reading them by themselves, there’s NO PROOF of that from the Sharee’ah. 

There’s no hadeeth of the Prophet and no report of the Sahaabah ever collecting these letters and reading them XYZ times for ANY reason on ANY occasion. 

If it was something good, they would have done it. 

And we would have had the instructions of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam regarding it. 

But we don’t. 

So if the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam didn’t do it, why should we?

*Think about it...*

If no one can say what they mean, then how can we say it’s good to read these words at a certain time or place, a certain number of times etc for such and such reason?

Can I hang them for Barakah?

Since the huroof al -Muqatta’aat are words of the Qur’aan, it’s NOT ALLOWED to hang them for ‘Barakah’ or seek protection from them. 

The words of the Qur’aan are to be READ and UNDERSTOOD and IMPLEMENTED in our lives. 

And NOT to be hung for ‘Barakah’. 

The Qur’aan is a prescription on how to lead a life of righteousness according to the commands of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

It’s a book of GUIDANCE. 

It’s NOT for hanging or decorating or 

‘donating’ its rewards to the dead. 

Always remember...

TRUE Barakah comes from the OBEDIENCE of Allaah; NOT from hanging things on the wall. 

Hanging words of the Qur’aan is like if you have a headache, instead of swallowing an analgesic tablet for your pain, you hang it on the wall!

Can I hang them up for Protection?

It’s NOT ALLOWED to hang up or wear ANY part of the Qur’aan for ‘protection’ against harm. 

That comes under the category of ‘amulets’ which are forbidden in Islaam. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever wears an amulet has committed shirk (i.e., associated something with Allaah).” 

(Ahmad and al-Haakim; saheeh by al-Albaani)

The scholars of the Standing Committee said;

“Attaching pieces of paper on which are written verses from the Qur’aan or du’aas to the body or some part of it, or putting them under the bed, etc., is not permitted, because it comes under the category of hanging up amulets which is forbidden by the hadeeth of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.” 

And they said:

“Anyone who believes that (an amulet) is just a means and that Allaah is the One who brings benefits or causes harm, and that He is the one who brings about the effects of causes is a mushrik in the sense of MINOR SHIRK, because an amulet is not a regular means and it is not prescribed in Islaam; rather it is just something imaginary.” 

(Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah, 22/433-434)

Conclusion

- Hanging up ANY THING with these “al-Huroof al-Muqatta’aat” whether as a plaque or painting or anything else is BID’AH. 

And that’s a HUGE SIN.  

- There’s NO BARAKAH in hanging them. 

-There are NO ‘secret meanings’ hidden in them 

-There’s NO benefit in ‘looking’ at them. 

-These letters and words DO NOT PROTECT you. 

In fact, believing that is SHIRK. 

 And Allaah knows best.