Abu Dawud

Benefits and Issues:
Wherever there is a fear that the Noble Qur’an will be disrespected,
it should not be taken there.
However, if a disbeliever wishes to understand the Qur’an,
and the intention is to invite him to Islam, then for this purpose it is permissible to give it to him.
Just as a letter was written to Heraclius,
and in it, a verse of the Noble Qur’an (Aal Imran: 64) was written.

Hadith Commentary:
Taking the Noble Qur’an into enemy territories has been prohibited so that it is not disrespected, because during times of war and similar situations, it is possible that the Qur’an may fall into the hands of the enemy and they may dishonor it.
Even now, such incidents continue to occur at the hands of some enemies of Islam: if the Noble Qur’an falls into their hands, they leave no stone unturned in disrespecting it, even though such behavior is extremely far removed from morality and decency.
To dishonor a book that is regarded as a sacred religious scripture by millions of people around the world is, in effect, to hurt the hearts of millions of people.
Such insolent individuals continue to suffer the consequences of their actions in one form or another, as is observed.
The pure teaching of Islam is that respect for any heavenly religious book is necessary, but this should remain within its proper limits, provided that the book is indeed a heavenly scripture.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Extremist types of non-Muslims behave disrespectfully towards the Noble Qur’an in order to cause mental distress to the Muslims. In view of the greatness, veneration, and respect of the Noble Qur’an, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) gave this command so that it would not fall into the hands of the disbelievers and they would not disrespect it.

➋
This is a manifest victory of the Noble Qur’an, that it has established its authority. Now, there is no country in the world where, in some form or another, the Qur’an has not reached. This greatness of the Noble Qur’an has not been attained by any other revealed book.

Benefits and Issues:

➊
When taking the Noble Qur’an and sacred books into the land of war (dar al-harb), special care must be taken to protect them; otherwise, in such situations, one should not take the Noble Qur’an along.

➋
A Muslim should have at least some portion of the Noble Qur’an memorized so that he is not deprived in special circumstances.

➌
In those non-Muslim areas where there is no such danger, it is appropriate to take the Noble Qur’an so that it can be recited and so that da’wah (invitation to Islam) can be given to non-Muslims.

➍
There is no harm in giving such books, in which verses and ahadith are written, to a non-Muslim from whom there is no fear that he will disrespect the Noble Qur’an and ahadith, so that he may become acquainted with Islam and be guided.

Takhrij al-Hadith: [وأخرجه البخاري 2990، ومسلم 1869، من حديث مالك به]
Jurisprudential Points
➊ If there is a fear of disrespect, it is prohibited to take the Noble Qur’an into the lands of the disbelievers.
➋ If there is no fear of disrespect, then it is not prohibited to take the Noble Qur’an into the lands of the disbelievers.
➌ If the intention is to convey the message of Islam to the disbelievers, then it is permissible to give them a translation or the original Qur’an as a gift or on loan. See: [صحيح بخاري 7، وصحيح مسلم 1773]
➍ In the time of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), the Noble Qur’an existed in written and compiled form.
➎ Only that meaning of the hadith is valid which is established from the pious predecessors (salaf salihin).