We just came across this shirt while browsing through Nordstrom in the mall a few seconds ago.
It reads “Allah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem”
Which means “God the most Gracious the most Merciful”
Have any of you seen this before?
What are your thoughts on companies using religious words on clothing?
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Tags: Allah, Islamic words on shirts
I think it is pretty shocking for something like this to be sold for secular consumption. The only case where I think it could possibly be defensible is if the person knows and believes in what is written on the shirt. But my understanding is that Muslims usually view this sort of thing as at very least makruh, if not haram, even for Muslims…
I really do not think it is right. I do not understand the reasoning on having Islamic words on something that pretty much goes against Islam. The shirt is a tank top and I would like to know what this company was trying to prove with this? Clearly the company does not know anything about Islam. Maybe I am overreacting but as a muslim I take offense to this.
I wonder if a Muslim designer at the company came up with the idea? I struggle with whether it’s “blasphemous” or just a piece of clothing because I’ve seen plenty of Allah bandanas for sale at Islamic conventions, I’ve seen Allah rings, I’ve seen Allah necklaces… so where does one draw the line?
I think the problem with this shirt is that it is made for mainstream. The difference between this shirt and the stuff you see at conventions is that those are worn by muslims and they understand what it is they are wearing and hopefully treat it with respect. When this shirt is worn people might not even know what it means. Muslims wear Allah’s name with pride because they want to show they are Muslims, this shirt doesn’t have the same point. Thats my opinion on it
I wonder if it’s just a matter of designers thinking, “Wow Arabic calligraphy is so pretty,” and integrating that into their work without realizing the implications or even understanding what they wrote.
The only thing about it that makes me uncomfortable is that obviously non-Muslims wouldn’t take care of something like this in the same way that Muslims would.
I personally don’t see it as purposely trying to make Muslims mad, but it is rather shocking to see on a shirt sold at Nordstrom, of all places.
As Salaamu ‘Alaykum,
This very issue came up about a 9 years ago. The offending party then was BEBE. I wrote to the corporate office and advised them against selling the shirt in their stores. It’s funny because I wrote the letter on 07/12/2000. The lady (Krista Haas) apologized and advised that even though the shirts could not be pulled, that they would no longer produce them and sell them in their stores.
The concern with Qur’anic calligaraphy on clothing items is that people can wear them to the bathrooms and what not, which is totally unacceptable to us Muslims. I suggest we write to Nordstrom and/or the manufacturers of the shirts and explain that they pull the merchandise immediatlely, otherwise we will stop patronizing their company.
The sooner we act the better. May Allah SWT purify our intentions and accepts our efforts as acts of ibadaat. Ameen.
I guess I catch some flack for this, but not everyone that speaks Arabic is Muslim so I guess whoever made the shirt says it’s for any and every person who believes that God is the most Gracious most Merciful. I had a professor in college who wore an Allah (God) necklace and she wasn’t Muslim. Was I offended by that, um no.
I guess as long as ones wudu is good and you dont plan on wearing that shirt in the bathroom…it would be ok. We are not suppose to touch the quran before making wudu..so i would assume its the same concept with wearing the words of Allah. Also we are not suppose to bring anything into restrooms with the name of Allah..again i would assume same concept.
Just wondering, Allah means god in English. The term Allah is used in many languages similar to Arabic. For example, don’t Arab Christians and Jews use a similar root word to refer to their God? If so, then what is the big deal?
very typical of the orientalist garbage that feeds the capitalist machine that really doesnt care about the meanings of things but fetishes foreign ‘looking’ art and in this case- calligraphy- to pretend to be intellectually savvy. credit is never given where it is due. see here also the rise of peasent shirts, north-african style tunics, etc.
well i think as long as u take proper care in wearing it.. its ok.. and its really not that easy.
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