Question
In the Qur’an, Allah says, what translates to:
That this is indeed a Qur’an, most honorable; in a Book well-guarded; which none shall touch except for those who are clean. (Waqi’ah 56:77-79)
It wouldn’t make sense for someone to touch the Holy Kalaam (Word) of Allah, Most High, without ablution. In my opinion, anyone who does, is disrespecting the Holy Qur’an and is following his/her own desires. Please correct me if I’m wrong… Insha Allah.
Answer
The referred verses are actually an answer to one of the common objections of the Arabs regarding the Qur’an. In view of the quality of the Qur’anic language and presentation, the rejecters would sometimes say that Muhammad (pbuh) was taught the Qur’an by Jinn. It is, in fact, in response to such objections that the Qur’an has declared that if the Jinn even come close to the path through which the angels bring down the Qur’an, they are then stoned by fiery comets1. The referred verses, with a couple of their preceding verses translate as:
No [this is not inspired by the devils among Jinn]. I call to witness the places where the stars fall – and it is indeed a great testimony, had you only known – this is indeed a most honorable Qur’an; in a book, well guarded. No one touches it except the most cleansed [angels]. [It is] a revelation from the Lord of the worlds. (Al-Waaqi`ah 56: 75 – 80)
If seen in the right context, the verses relate to the revelation of the Qur’an, rather than man’s reading it. In my opinion, therefore, any directive regarding touching the Qur’an with or without ablution, cannot be derived from these verses. However, as I have stated in my previous response, a person may, as a show of his reverence toward the book, of his own will, perform ablution before touching the book. Nevertheless, ablution for this purpose cannot be termed as ‘obligatory’.
I hope this helps.
March 10, 2001
- This is mentioned at a number of instances in the Qur’an, for instance see Al-Jinn 72: 8 – 9. [↩]