The two groups of people generally considered not allowed to touch the Quran are those who are impure (without wudu) and those in a state of major ritual impurity (like after sexual activity or menstruation).
Detailed Explanation
Scholars of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) derive this ruling primarily from verse 79 of Surah Al-Waqi'ah in the Quran:
"None shall touch it except the purified." (Quran 56:79)
This verse is often interpreted to mean that only those who are ritually pure can touch the physical copy of the Quran (the mushaf). Different levels of impurity exist in Islamic ritual purity, influencing the specific restrictions:
Impurity and Touching the Quran
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Minor Impurity (Without Wudu): This state arises after actions such as urinating, defecating, passing gas, or sleeping. To remove this impurity, Muslims perform wudu (ritual ablution), which involves washing specific body parts (face, hands, arms, head, and feet). The majority of scholars agree that touching the Quran is prohibited without wudu.
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Major Impurity (Requires Ghusl): This state results from sexual intercourse, ejaculation, menstruation, or postpartum bleeding. To remove this impurity, a Muslim must perform ghusl (a full body washing). There is consensus that individuals in this state of major impurity cannot touch the Quran.
Differing Opinions and Nuances
While the general principle is widely accepted, there are some nuances in interpretation among different schools of thought:
- Memorization vs. Physical Touch: Most scholars agree that it's permissible to recite the Quran from memory even without wudu. The prohibition primarily applies to touching the physical text.
- Electronic Devices: There's ongoing discussion regarding whether the prohibition extends to touching the Quran on electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets). Some scholars argue that the screen is not the actual mushaf, while others maintain that the same respect should be applied.
- Translation vs. Arabic Text: The ruling typically applies specifically to the Arabic text of the Quran. Translations are generally considered permissible to touch even without wudu.
Reasons and Wisdom
The prohibition on touching the Quran in a state of impurity is rooted in the belief that the Quran is the direct word of God and deserves the utmost respect and reverence. Maintaining ritual purity is seen as a way to honor and elevate the status of the Quran.
