Question
What is the ruling with regards to writing names on the ground/surface of the earth. Many a time people wrote their names on the beach front. Will it be disrespectful especially if it’s the Same name of a Sahabi or a Nabi? Some people say it’s my name and i don’t mean so and so Sahabis name.
Answer
It will be disrespectful for one to write his name on the ground. There is a possibility that name can be trample upon.i Fuqaha (Jurists) write that names have letters and letters have to be shown respect. Adab (etiquettes) demands that we should respect the letters.ii Letters are the means of knowledge and everything with regards to knowledge must be respected (e.g. pen, paper, desk etc.) So, writing one’s name will fall in this category. It is best for one to refrain from doing such acts either you mean it to be your name or not. If the name has the name of Allah Ta’ala or the name of a Nabi, then all the more reason, it should be respected on not written on the ground.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
ولو كتب القرآن على الحيطان والجدران بعصهم قالوا: يرجى أن يجوز، وبعصهم كرهوا ذلك مخافة السقوط تحت أقدام الناس، كذا في فتاوى قاضي خان.
( الفتاوى الهندية ج ص ٣٢٣ دار الفكر)
إذا كتب اسم فرعون أو كتب أبو جهل على غرض يكرة أن يرموا إليه؛ لأن لتلك الخروف خرمة، كذا في السراجية.
( الفتاوى الهندية ج ه م ٣٢٣ دار الفكر)