What is the ruling on replacing "Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim" (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) with "Bismihi Ta'ala" (In His name, the Exalted) in official documents, under the pretext of protecting the name of Allah from entering impure places? Is it permissible to act upon this change? And are those who act upon it considered sinful?

It is not obligatory to begin correspondence with "Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim" (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), and one who omits it does not incur sin. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, omitted it on the Day of Hudaybiyyah. However, it is preferable to begin with it, based on his saying, peace and blessings be upon him: "Every important matter that does not begin with 'Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim' is cut off [lacks blessings]." Yet, if it is highly probable that official correspondence papers will be subjected to disrespect, then it is obligatory to refrain from writing the Basmalah.