Skip to main content

Can I touch the Quran without ablution, Wudu ?




in the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
The general rule is that it is obligatory to have ablution when touching or reciting from the Quran. However, some scholars have made a concession if this would cause hardship and a person uses caution not to get any impurities or filth on the Quran.
The great majority of scholars maintain that it is an obligation to have ablution (wudu) before touching or reciting from the Quran. The basis of this ruling is the statement of Allah Amighty:
Verily, it is a noble Quran in a protected Book. None touch it but the purified.
Surat al-Waqi’ah 56:77-79
Scholars derived from these verses that a Muslim should have ablution before touching the Quran. However, there is a disagreement of interpretation over whether this is referring to believers touching the Quran or to the angels touching the Preserved Tablet (al-lawh al-mahfuzh) on which is written the destiny of all things.
Ibn Kathir reported:
Ibn Abbas said concerning the verse, “None touch it except the purified,” that this refers to the Book in the heavens and “the purified” refers to the angels.
Source: Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr 56:79
This is as Allah said in another verse:
In noble records, exalted and purified, in the hands of angelic messengers.
Surat ‘Abasa 80:13-15
Nonetheless, it can be inferred from the verses that it is at least highly recommended to have ablution when touching the Quran.
The scholars also use a prophetic narration to support the obligation to have ablution before touching the Quran.
Abdullah ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
None should touch the Quran unless they are pure.
Source: al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 13217, Grade: Hasan (fair)
Although this tradition is not at the highest levels of authenticity in terms of its chain of authorities, it has still been acted upon by many scholars and it was the general practice of the people of Medina. They said not only should someone without ablution touch the Quran, but also neither a menstruating woman or a person with greater impurtiy in need of a ritual bath (ghusl).
Ibn Abdul Barr reported:
Ash-Shafi’ee, Al-Awza’i, Abu Thawr, and Ahmad said the scripture (mushaf) should not be touched by a person with greater impurity (junub), nor a menstruating woman, nor a person without ablution.
Source: al-Istidhkār 2/372
Imam Malik was particularly strict on this point, saying that the prohibition is based not only on protecting the Quran from impurities but that it exists in itself as a matter of respect for the Quran.
Imam Malik said:
No one should carry the Quran by its strap or on a cushion unless he is pure. If it were permissible to do so, it would also have been permissible to carry it in its cover. This is not because there is something on the hands of the one who carries it by which the Quran will be soiled, but rather it is disapproved for someone to carry it without being pure out of respect and honor for the Quran.
Source: al-Muwaṭṭa 236
Indeed, the majority of scholars have taken this view and this is the safest opinion and the best in terms of piety and respect for the Quran. However, some scholars allowed touching the Quran in a state of minor impurity (hadath), without ablution, for the statement of the Prophet (ṣ), “unless with purification,” can be interpreted as linguistically what is pure, that his hands are clean of impurity, rather than its technical legal meaning.
Ash-Shawkani reported:
Regarding the one in a state of minor impurity, it has been narrated from Ibn Abbas, Ash-Sha’bi, Ad-Dahhak, Zaid ibn Ali, Dawud and others that it is permissible to touch the copy of the Quran. However, Al-Qasim, Imam Yahya, and the majority of jurists say it is not permissible.
Source: Nayl al-Awṭār 1/262
Therefore, if it will cause hardship for a Muslim to have complete ablution before touching the Quran, then there may be a concession to touch it in this specific case. Care should be taken not to get anything impure on the Quran. Yet the general rule is that a Muslim should have complete ablution before touching it.
Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 Oldest Manuscripts of The Quran

Allah said in Surah al-Hijr, Ayah 09: Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its Guardian. And undoubtedly, the present-day Quran is same as the Quran which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In this post, we take a look at some of the oldest manuscripts of the Quran, including ones that date back to the days of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Rightly-Guided Caliphs. 10 Oldest Manuscripts of The Quran 1. Birmingham Quran Manuscript In 2015, at the University of Birmingham, scientists found an old Quranic manuscript on parchment, using clearly legible Arabic Hijazi script. It is said to be one of the oldest manuscripts, and it dates back to sometime between 568 and 645 CE, that is, probably sometime during the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself. 2. Sana’a Quran Manuscript The Sana’a Quran manuscript was found in Yemen in 1972 during the restoration of the Great Masjid of Sana’a. The manuscript is written on parchmen...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why do Dogs start Barking (Howling) at the time of Azan ?

Q uestions: Why do dogs cry at the time of Fajr Azan? This is an incident that I’ve noticed very often. A nswer: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. There are many wonders of Allah in His Creation. Dogs are among His Creatures. It is confirmed in a Hadith that dogs see what human beings cannot see. Abu Dawud reported in his Sunan that Jabir Ibn Abdullah narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said:” If you hear the barking of dogs and the braying of donkeys by night, seek refuge in Allah, as they see what you cannot see”. Albani and others classified this Hadith as authentic. In Sahih Al Jamie’, following the above Hadith is stated: ..’And reduce going out when it is quiet( when everybody is indoors at night time) as Allah diffuses by night what He wishes among His Creation, and lock your doors and mention the Name of Allah on them as ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mumbai terror attacks: Nawaz Sharif admits Pakistan’s role

New Delhi: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has admitted that Pakistan played a role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He told this in an interview given to Dawn. Stating that the terrorist organisations were thriving in Pakistan, he held them which he called “non-state actors” responsible for the series of coordinated attacks in Mumbai. It must be recalled that a series of attacks were carried out in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, which claimed over 160 lives. Sources quoted Sharif, who was ousted from power when the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office for life following his involvement in the Panama Papers case, as saying “Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai?” It must be noted that Pakistan had been denying involvement in Mumbai attacks despite evidence provided by the Indian government. This is the first time that former Pakistani PM Nawaz S...
Post a Comment
Read more