A Muslim organisation has issued a fatwa over mobile phone etiquette, it has been reported.

In the north Indian city of Kanpur a panel of clerics from the Islamic group Jamia Ashraf-ul-Madaris has set new rules over using phones. The panel objected to the use of aayats (verses from the Koran) as ringtones. It argues that people answer calls midway through the aayat, leave the verse incomplete. Ghyasuddin, a senior cleric, told the Press Association: “Listening to aayats partially is anti-Islamic. This kind of action amounts to a gunah (sin).

“People should abstain from these practices. It would leave a bad impression on young children.” Mr Ghyasuddin also criticised using mobile phones in the toilet. “If the phone rings and an aayat can be heard in the toilet, it is a sin,” he said.

In Islam, a fatwa is a legal decree which is made by someone who has an extensive knowledge of the Sharia law. The panel also refused to allow people to put their phones on vibrate mode while offering prayers. “It distracts you while offering prayers. It’s disgraceful if one can’t even give a peaceful half an hour to Allah,” Mr Ghyasuddin said.

But, if a phone rings in the toilet, and no one hears it…is it still a sin?