❖ Ruling on Accidental Dropping of the Qur'an and Its Expiation ❖
Source: Fatawa al-Din al-Khalis, Vol. 1, p. 91
Question:
If someone accidentally drops the Noble Qur’an, is there any expiation (kaffarah) for it? Some people claim that giving ten dirhams in charity is required. What is the ruling regarding this?
If the Qur’an falls unintentionally from a person’s hand (without deliberate action), then there is no expiation (kaffarah) for it. However, it is emphasized in the Shari‘ah to hold the Qur’an firmly and respectfully, preferably with the right hand.
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:
﴿خُذوا ما ءاتَينـٰكُم بِقُوَّةٍ﴾
"(And it was said), ‘Hold firmly to what We have given you.’”
(Surah al-Baqarah: 63)
According to this verse, physically holding the Qur’an with strength and care is included, just as practicing its teachings is required.
If the Qur’an falls from one’s hand unintentionally, one should seek forgiveness (istighfar) from Allah ﷻ. This is because Allah has forgiven this Ummah for its mistakes and forgetfulness.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿رَبَّنا لا تُؤاخِذنا إِن نَسينا أَو أَخطَأنا﴾
“Our Lord, do not hold us accountable if we forget or make a mistake.”
(Surah al-Baqarah: 286)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that in response to this supplication, Allah ﷻ said:
"Qad fa‘altu" — “I have done so.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1/78)
For further details, refer to Tafsir Ibn Kathir (1/341).
There is no authentic evidence that giving ten dirhams in charity is required as expiation for accidentally dropping the Qur’an.
However, the mention of charity as an expiation is found in other rulings, such as intercourse with one’s wife during menstruation, which will be discussed under Kitab al-Taharah (Book of Purification), in shā’ Allāh.
✔ If the Qur’an is dropped unintentionally, there is no expiation required.
✔ One should simply seek forgiveness (istighfar) from Allah ﷻ.
✔ The Qur’an should be held firmly and respectfully, preferably with the right hand, to avoid disrespect.
✔ There is no valid Shar‘i basis for giving ten dirhams in charity as expiation for this matter.
✔ Allah ﷻ has forgiven mistakes and forgetfulness, as clearly stated in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
Source: Fatawa al-Din al-Khalis, Vol. 1, p. 91Question:If someone accidentally drops the Noble Qur’an, is there any expiation (kaffarah) for it? Some people claim that giving ten dirhams in charity is required. What is the ruling regarding this?
❀ Ruling When the Qur’an Falls Accidentally
If the Qur’an falls unintentionally from a person’s hand (without deliberate action), then there is no expiation (kaffarah) for it. However, it is emphasized in the Shari‘ah to hold the Qur’an firmly and respectfully, preferably with the right hand.
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:
﴿خُذوا ما ءاتَينـٰكُم بِقُوَّةٍ﴾
"(And it was said), ‘Hold firmly to what We have given you.’”
(Surah al-Baqarah: 63)
According to this verse, physically holding the Qur’an with strength and care is included, just as practicing its teachings is required.
❀ Seeking Forgiveness is Sufficient
If the Qur’an falls from one’s hand unintentionally, one should seek forgiveness (istighfar) from Allah ﷻ. This is because Allah has forgiven this Ummah for its mistakes and forgetfulness.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿رَبَّنا لا تُؤاخِذنا إِن نَسينا أَو أَخطَأنا﴾
“Our Lord, do not hold us accountable if we forget or make a mistake.”
(Surah al-Baqarah: 286)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that in response to this supplication, Allah ﷻ said:
"Qad fa‘altu" — “I have done so.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1/78)
For further details, refer to Tafsir Ibn Kathir (1/341).
❀ Is Giving Ten Dirhams in Charity Necessary?
There is no authentic evidence that giving ten dirhams in charity is required as expiation for accidentally dropping the Qur’an.
However, the mention of charity as an expiation is found in other rulings, such as intercourse with one’s wife during menstruation, which will be discussed under Kitab al-Taharah (Book of Purification), in shā’ Allāh.
Conclusion
✔ If the Qur’an is dropped unintentionally, there is no expiation required.
✔ One should simply seek forgiveness (istighfar) from Allah ﷻ.
✔ The Qur’an should be held firmly and respectfully, preferably with the right hand, to avoid disrespect.
✔ There is no valid Shar‘i basis for giving ten dirhams in charity as expiation for this matter.
✔ Allah ﷻ has forgiven mistakes and forgetfulness, as clearly stated in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
