Question: Is it allowed to nail boards bearing tasbih, dhikr, prayers and the like to trees to spread them?
Answer: In some areas today, banners and placards with various prayers and dhikr can be seen on trees along both sides of the road. The main aim is to encourage passers-by to remember Allah and recite prayers.
Just as reciting prayers and dhikr oneself is a virtuous act, reminding others of good deeds is also praiseworthy. Allah says: "And remind, for indeed the reminder benefits the believers." (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, verse 55)
Why the method is wrong
It should be noted, however, that these plates bearing dhikr and prayers are usually made of tin or similar material and are fixed by driving nails into the tree, wounding its body. So although the intention is good, the method is objectionable in the eyes of Sharia.
Nailing boards to a tree harms the tree, and Islam does not permit spreading prayers or doing good deeds by harming a living being.
Trees glorify Allah. They are always absorbed in remembering Him, they prostrate, and they fully obey their Lord's command. The Holy Quran says: "Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth, and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people?" (Surah Al-Hajj, verse 18)
Sharia directly forbids needlessly cutting down naturally grown trees that give people shade and fruit. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Whoever cuts down a tree without need, Allah will cast his head into the fire." (Sunan Abu Dawud: 5241)
Source: Jugantor. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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