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A panel of clerics from the Islamic group Jamia Ashraf-ul-Madaris has ruled that 
the use of aayats - or verses from the Koran - as ringtones is anti-Islamic as 
people answer their calls midway through, leaving the verse incomplete.
 
The organisation from the north Indian city of Kanpur has now set new rules over 
using phones.
 
Ghyasuddin, a senior cleric, explaine More..d: "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 the use of mobile phones when in the toilet.
 
He continued: "If the phone rings and an aayat can be heard in the toilet, 
it is a sin."
 
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.