Can I enter the bathroom with a cell phone in which there is a Qur’anic verse or Islamic saying containing the name of Allah? حكم دخول الحمام بجوال فيه آية

Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.

As to what follows:

In response to your question, we say, and with Allah Almighty lies all success:

The majority of scholars dislike going into the bathroom with something containing the name of Allah. They base this on what the scholars of Hadith related from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that, “When entering the area for relieving oneself, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would take off his ring (which contained the seal of Prophethood with Allah’s name).” However, this hadith has fault in it. Nasa’i said it is non-recorded, and Abu Dawud said it is unknown (its source). Therefore, it cannot be used as evidence.

Moreover, a group of the Tabi`un allowed entering the toilet area with something containing the mention of Allah, amongst them was Ibn Musayyib, al-Hasan and Ibn Sirin. Also, Imam Ahmad was asked about a man entering the toilet with a dirham (coin with Allah’s name), to which he said, “I hope there is nothing wrong in that.”

So what is apparent, is that there is no prohibition in entering the washroom with a cell phone containing a Qur’anic verse or the mention of Allah, due to the lack of evidence of prohibition. And it is well known that in order to dislike (or forbid) something is a matter of religious legislation which must be supported by evidence.

Your brother,

Dr. Khalid al-Muslih

26 / 10 / 1424 AH