Search In Fatwa

Touching the Qur'an while impure

Question

Can you touch the Qur'an or any of its letters in a state of impurity?

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

The majority of Muslim scholars are of the opinion that touching the Mus-haf (al-Qur'an) that includes its cover since it contains the name of the Mus-haf, its words, margins, etc., is forbidden for an impure person whether he is in minor impurity (that needs Wudu) or major impurity (that needs ritual bath).
However, one may turn its papers through a stick or the like without touching it directly. Also one may touch it if there is covering (e.g. gloves, or cloth) between him and the Mus-haf. It is the also the correct opinion of Hanbali School (see: 'Insaaf'). However reciting Qur'an by heart for a person who is not in the state of ablution is permissible according the consensus of Muslims, though reciting it in the state of ablution is better.
Allah knows best.

Related Fatwa