Is It Permissible to Touch the Quran Without Purification?

Evidence from Hadith:​

Imam Malik narrated from Abdullah bin Abi Bakr, who was Ibn Muhammad bin Amr bin Hazm, that in the letter written by the Prophet ﷺ to Amr bin Hazm, it was mentioned:

"لا يمس القرآن إلا طاهر"
"No one should touch the Quran except a pure person."

This narration is Mursal (a category of Hadith where the chain of narrators is incomplete). Some narrators have reported it from Abdullah from his father, while others narrated it directly from his father and grandfather.

Some scholars accept this Hadith due to the widespread acceptance of the letter among people and believe that this suffices as evidence, even without a complete chain of transmission.

Authenticity and Verification:​

• Muwatta Imam Malik (Kitab al-Quran) and Darqutni (1/121) mention this narration as Mursal, with some narrators lacking in reliability.
• Al-Bayhaqi (1/88) and At-Tabarani (Mu’jam al-Kabir 2/139) mention a version from Abdullah bin Umar as a Marfu' (elevated) narration.
• Ad-Daraqutni (1/122) and Al-Hakim (3/485) recorded another version:
  
  "لا تمَسَّ الْقُرْآنَ إِلَّا وَأَنتَ طَاهِر"
  "Do not touch the Quran unless you are in a state of purity."
  
  
• Al-Hakim declared this narration as Sahih (authentic), and Al-Dhahabi agreed with him. However, one narrator, Suweid Abu Hatim, had memory issues, making this narration slightly doubtful.
• Majma’ al-Zawa'id (1/277) mentions Isma'il bin Rafi' in the chain, whom Yahya bin Ma’in graded weak, while Imam Bukhari considered him reliable.
• Al-Haythami in Majma’ al-Zawa'id concludes that the Hadith, when viewed collectively, is authentic.

Key Lessons and Rulings:​

➊ It Is Not Permissible to Touch or Read the Quran Without Purification:

• A ritually impure person (junub) must perform ghusl before touching the Quran.
• There is a difference of opinion regarding touching the Quran without wudu (minor impurity).
• The preferable opinion is that one should perform wudu before touching or reading the Quran.

➋ It Is Permissible to Write and Send Religious Advice:

• Writing down advice and guidance for others is permissible.
• It is also valid to propagate Islamic teachings through written communication, as the Prophet ﷺ used to send letters to his companions and leaders of various regions.

➌ Difference Between Major and Minor Impurities:

• Hadath Asghar (minor impurity): A person in this state cannot perform salah but there is debate about whether they can touch the Quran.
• Hadath Akbar (major impurity): A person in this state must perform ghusl before touching the Quran.

➍ The Quran Deserves to Be Handled in a State of Purity:

• The Quran is sacred, and its honor demands that it should be touched and read in a state of purity.
• Observing ritual cleanliness while handling the Quran is a mark of respect for its divine status.

Source:​

This content has been taken from Sheikh Taqi al-Din Abi al-Fath’s book "Diya al-Islam fi Sharh al-Imam bi-Ahadith al-Ahkam", translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar Sahib.