The Ulama in Saudi Arabia have issued a fatwa claiming that Qur'aanic verses used as ringtones in telephones is haraam.

Answer

The Saudi fatwa pertaining to ringtones is correct. It is not permissible to misuse the Aayaat of the Qur'aan. The purpose of the Qur'aan Majeed is Tilaawat and Hidaayat. The Fuqaha have explicitly ruled that it is not permissible for a person who guards a camp, for example, to wake up people for Salaat, etc. by reciting Takbeer/ Tasbeeh. The intention of reciting Tasbeeh is to praise Allah Ta'ala. It may not be used to wake up people or for anything else. The Qur'aan Majeed may not be used as an alarm to alert people. The same ruling apply to Athaan clocks. The use of the Athaan in alarm clocks is also not permissible. Using the Qur'aanic verses as ringtones in phones is highly disrespectful of the Qur'aan Majeed.