The Sanctity of the Noble Qur'an

Question:

Please clarify for us what status the Qur'an has in our religion?

Answer:

The Qur'an is Allah’s Speech, which He revealed to His Servant and Messenger, Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). He revealed it so that it could serve as light and guidance for all creatures until the Day of Judgement. Allah Almighty has blessed the Muslims, as well as some from later generations, to memorize it, to apply it in all of life’s affairs, and to refer to it in all matters large and small. Even to this day, Allah Almighty has blessed people regarding the Qur'an, people who give it its full due, physically and spiritually. Unfortunately a great number of people who call themselves Muslims do not fulfill the rights of the Qur'an, nor do they obey the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) –people upon whom I fear the following:-

And the Messenger will say: “O my Lord! Verily my people deserted the Qur'an.”(Surah Al-Furqan 25:30)

It is a visible fact that many have deserted the Qur'an: they don’t recite it, reflect on its meanings, or apply its precepts, and there is neither might nor power except with Allah Almighty.

Many Muslims have forgotten that they must venerate the Qur'an. In Muslim countries, printed in publications-newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, journals, - are many verses of the Qur'an, yet after having read these publications, many people throw them into the garbage, where the Qur’anic verses, to say the least, are belittled. Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:

That (this) is indeed an honorable recital (the Noble Qur'an). In a book well-guarded (with Allah in the Heavens i.e. Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz), which (that Book with Allah Almighty) none can touch but the purified (i.e. the angels) a Revelation (this Qur'an) from the Lord of all that exists. (Surah Al-Waqi’ah 56: 77-80)

Based on the meaning of this verse, and according to the view of the majority of scholars, one is not allowed to touch the Qur'an unless one is in a state of purity. In a Hadith related by ‘Amr ibn Hazm, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) sent a message to him:

“And only the pure may touch the Qur'an”

In another narration, one reported by ibn Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu) the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Do not touch the Qur'an unless you are pure.”

And from another narration we learn that Sa’d ordered his son to perform ablution before touching the Mushaf. If this is how we should be when we touch the Mighty Qur'an, then image those who use a newspaper – wherein verses of the Mighty Qur'an are written- as a tablecloth, throwing it into the garbage after their meal; no doubt, this behavior is a form of disrespect for the Book of Allah and His Clear Speech.

It is then the responsibility of every Muslim to be careful with the Mushaf, books wherein verses of the Qur'an are written, wherein the Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) sayings are printed and wherein one of Allah’s Beautiful Names are mentioned. This is accomplished by storing such books in a clean pure place. When one no longer needs these items, he may bury them in pure soil or burn them. One must not be negligent in this matter, as many people are, due to their ignorance about the regulations on this matter. This is the behavior required from every Muslim regarding the Book of Allah, His Names and Attributes and the Hadith of His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). They must stay away from what angers Allah and from behavior that offends the rank of the Word of the Lord of the Worlds.

We ask Allah Almighty to guide us to what He loves and to protect us from the evils of our own selves and the evils of our deeds. We ask Him to instill into our hearts veneration of both His Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). We ask Allah Almighty to make us from those who follow the precepts of these two sources and from those who do not belittle them by speech or by deed. Indeed, He is our Protector and is able to answer our prayers.

Shaikh Ibn Baz (Rahimahullah)

Reference: Fatawa Islamiyah Volume 7 Pages 15-17

Ameen! To the above Dua May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala grant Mercy to the late Shaikh and bless him with Jannatul-Firduas. Ameen!