Saudi Arabia bans use of Asma al-Husna on commercial packaging

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new restriction banning the use of Asma al-Husna (the Beautiful Names of Allah) and the word “Allah” on commercial product packaging, citing concerns over respect and proper use.

The announcement was made by Abdulrahman Al-Hussein, spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Commerce, through a statement shared on the social media platform X, owned by the US-based company X Corp.

Al-Hussein emphasized that printing Asma al-Husna on commercial packaging poses the risk of sacred names being discarded on the ground or subjected to disrespectful treatment after use.

Scope of the Ban

According to the statement, commercial establishments are prohibited from printing the word “Allah” or any of the Asma al-Husna on products that could be exposed to degradation, misuse, or humiliation.

The ban specifically covers disposable items, including shopping bags and packaging materials that are likely to be thrown away after use.

Preserving Religious Respect

Al-Hussein noted that the decision was taken to protect the sanctity and dignity of Asma al-Husna, stressing that the measure is rooted in religious sensitivity rather than commercial regulation alone.

The restriction is expected to apply across all sectors using disposable packaging in the Kingdom.