Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
1. The interpretation of the overwhelming majority of tafsir imams, early (e.g. Tabari ), and later (e.g. Ibn Kathir 4.299, Jamal, Alusi) is that the verse you mentioned refers to physically touching the Qur’an.
2. The position of all four Sunni schools of fiqh is that it is haram to touch the Qur’an without wudu. The centrality of sound scholarship is explained by Shaykh Nuh Keller in his articles at www.masud.co.uk . Please read these.
Even Ibn Taymiyya, with his frequent divergence from majority positions, holds this to be the correct opinion. [al-Fatawa al-Kubra, 1.280]
Imam Ibn Qudama said that this is a position in which there is no known disagreement of consequence. [al-Mughni, 1.99]
3. There are many sound hadiths related to this, such as the hadith of Hakim ibn Hizam (Allah be pleased with him), in which the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“Do not touch the Qur’an unless you are in a state of purity.” [Related by Imam Malik in his Muwatta, and deemed sound by early and late hadith authorities, such as Imam Nawawi in his Majmu`]
Imam Ibn Abd al-Barr says in his Tamhid that this hadith has been related so extensively, and is so well known in the books of sira that its fame puts it beyond need for an isnad, for it is akin to being mutawatir (related by multiple contiguous chains). Thus, he said,
“The scholars of the lands have not differed regarding this.” [Ibn Abd al-Barr, al-Tamhid, 17.396-398]
And Allah alone gives success.
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
MMVIII © Faraz Rabbani and Qibla.
All rights reserved
No part of this article may be reproduced, displayed, modified, or distributed without the express prior written permission of both copyright holders. For permission, please submit a request at our Helpdesk.
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Knowledge is only through study." While some knowledge can be gained from reading or casually listening to lectures, the best means to gain knowledge is through finding a qualified teacher and then setting up a systematic program of learning. Picking up a book or reading an article and trying to figure things out on our own is no substitute for learning from someone who has a direct link to our living tradition.
Through joining an online class at Qibla, you can benefit from convenient, online courses that will give you access to reliable scholars and our popular curriculum learning tracks. Knowledge gained in these courses will both build your iman and assist you in putting into practice what you learn. Don't give yourself less than you deserve, register today.
