Placing the Qur’ān on the Ground – Sharī‘ah Ruling and Evidence from Ḥadīth

Source: Fatāwā ‘Ilmiyyah (Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām), Vol. 2, p. 55

Ḥadīth Evidence​

It is narrated from ‘Abd Allāh ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما:


“A group of Jews invited the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ to al-Qaf (in Madinah). He went to them in their school (Bayt al-Midrās). They said: ‘O Abū al-Qāsim! A man among us has committed adultery with a woman—pass judgement between them.’
They placed a cushion for the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, and he sat on it. He then said: ‘Bring me the Torah.’ When it was brought, he removed the cushion from beneath himself and placed the Torah upon it…”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd with ‘Awn al-Ma‘būd, Vol. 4, p. 264, ḥadīth 4449)

Meaning and Context​

The Jews requested the Prophet ﷺ to judge in a case. They brought the Torah, and in showing respect for the Book of Allāh (revealed to Mūsā عليه السلام), the Prophet ﷺ removed the cushion he was sitting on and placed the Torah upon it rather than on the ground.

Authenticity of the Ḥadīth​

• This ḥadīth is ḥasan (good).
• All of its narrators are thiqah (reliable).
• Only Hishām ibn Sa‘d has some criticism, but the majority of ḥadīth scholars consider him truthful and trustworthy.
• Detailed discussion: Nayl al-Maqṣūd (ḥadīth 497), al-Ta‘liq ‘alā Tahdhīb al-Tahdhīb.

Statements of the Scholars:

• Ḥāfiẓ al-Dhahabī and Imām al-‘Ajlī both said: “Ḥasan al-ḥadīth”.
  (al-Kāshif 3/196; Tārīkh al-‘Ajlī: 1514)

Fiqh Ruling and Derivation​

• This ḥadīth indicates that the Qur’ān and other revealed scriptures should not be placed on the ground.
• They should be kept in a clean, elevated place out of respect and honour.

ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب