What is the ruling for writing ‘یا محمد’ (Ya Muhammad) upon a wall ?

Darulifta Ahlesunnat

(Dawateislami)

Question

   What do the scholars of Islam and the Muftis of the Shari’ah say regarding the following matter: In some homes, masjids etc., ‘یا محمد’ (Ya Muhammad) is written upon the walls. Is this allowed in Shari’ah? And if it is already written with paint or a plaque is hung, then what should be done?

بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

   It is not correct in the Shari’ah to call upon the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم with the wording of ‘Ya Muhammad’. This is because the Holy Quran has prohibited calling upon the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in the manner in which we address one another by mentioning each other’s names.

   Instead of saying یا محمد ‘Ya Muhammad’, one should useیا رسول اللہ    ‘Ya Rasoolallah’, یا حبیب اللہ‘Ya Habiballah’,یا نبی اللہ ‘Ya Nabiyyallah’, etc., to call upon him, and this should also be kept in mind when writing. If یا محمد ‘Ya Muhammad’ is written on the wall of a house, masjid, etc., it should be removed respectfully, and if a plaque is hung up, it should be replaced with another upon which یا رسول اللہ‘Ya Rasoolallah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم’ is written.

   When doing so, care must be taken to ensure that it is not hung in a place where there is even a possibility of disrespect. Rainwater should not come into contact with the writing and fall onto the floor; these blessed words should not be in a place where this possibility exists. For example, the outer wall of a home, where rainwater will fall upon it and then fall on to the ground.

وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم

Written by: Mufti Muhammad Qasim Attari