An Anonymous Letter

Question :

I received an anonymous letter that contained four verses from the Noble Qur'an. After mentioning the four verses, the writer of the letter continued to explain the many benefits of printing those verses and sending them to other people, benefits and rewards that are indeed amazing.

He then went on to mention the good things that happened to people who actually printed the verses and then sent them on to others. Finally, he mentioned examples of people who didn't follow his instructions, people who as a result became afflicted with a number of hardships. I know that we must always venerate the Qur'an and apply its precepts, but I am concerned about the way the writer listed the rewards of distributing those verses and the punishments of not doing so. I am concerned about what he says because I also know that benefit and harm are in Allah's Hand. No harm can touch us unless He Almighty has written it for us. I recall that years ago some people were distributing a letter similar to this one, claiming that it contained advice from Ahmad, one of the doormen of the Prophet's Masjid; then, you clarified the Islamic ruling concerning that letter, and now I ask you to clarify the Islamic ruling concerning this one.

Answer:

What are the rewards for writing or reciting certain verses of the Qur'an, or what is the punishment for not doing so - these are matters that only Allah Almighty know of. It is not permissible for anyone to talk about such matters, except what is in agreement with what Allâh clarified in the revelation to Allâh's Messenger . No reward, specific or general, for this world or for the Hereafter, is mentioned in the Book of Allah or the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger for those who write down and distribute the verses you mentioned. Likewise, no punish- ment, specific or general, for this world or for the Hereafter, is mentioned for those who do not write down or distribute those verses. If anyone decides to specify any reward or punishment in this regard, then he is speaking about the unseen, of which he has no knowledge, and of which Allah Almighty has forbidden us from speaking of:
"And follow not that of which you have no knowledge. Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned."

He also said:
"Say: "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawahishah (great evil sins, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners with Allah for which he has given no authority, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge."

A person who sends this kind of letter deserves punishment
from Allah Almighty; he also deserves to be chastised by the authorities in Muslim lands; they should punish him for spreading innovation, and by doing so, they help deter others from a similar act. May Allah send peace and blessings upon Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.

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