Finding something that looks like a cross on one's phone

· 14 Rabiʻ I 1440 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

Recently I bought a new phone that is designed to be waterproof and it is designed to be such that if it falls from a table it doesn’t break or crack the screen.

A problem, however, is that the designer of the phone placed two steel platters over the phone’s back (I think it is intended to protect the battery and the back of the phone). I know picture making is haraam so I did not take a photo for you to inspect. The two steel platters cross each other and it looks like a cross (two steel platters crossed together, with the upper part of the vertical platter shorter, which is similar to a cross). I personally don’t think the company intended to make a cross shape to appeal people rather the designer probably just thought that this design is either safe or “cool” (it is a Chinese phone company and they are likely not Christians).

Should I return the phone or keep it? Returning it makes me feel a bit guilty as there is no product defect. But keeping it also makes me worried. If I keep how do I destroy the shape (it is made for safety so I don’t know how to remove the platter)?

Answer

You can either return the phone or cover the cross with a sticker etc.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

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