Q: Is it permissible to write the Basmalah ("Bismillah AlRahman, AlRahim [In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful]") on wedding invitation cards, as people throw them in the street or in garbage bins after the weddings?
A: It is permissible to write the Basmalah on invitation cards and other messages, based on the Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Any significant matter that is not started with Bismillah (in the Name of Allah) is cut off (from blessing)." This is in addition to the fact that he (peace be upon him) used to begin his messages with the mention of Allah's Name.
It is not, however, permissible for someone who receives a card on which Allah's Name or Ayahs (verses) of the Qur'an are written to throw it in the garbage can or put it in a disliked place. The same applies to newspapers and anything similar. It is not permissible to treat them with contempt, throw them in the garbage, spread them on tables under food, or use them to wrap things up in, because they might contain the Name of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). In such case, it is the person who misuses the paper that bears the sin not the person who wrote them.