Respect and Etiquette of the Noble Qur’an in Light of Quran and Hadith
Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpūrī
❖ Question
What is the ruling on respecting the Qur’an and what are its etiquettes?
❖ Answer
The Qur’an is the true speech of Allah. Respecting it is obligatory, and protecting and preserving it is a duty of every believer. To disrespect or dishonor it is kufr (disbelief). For understanding its meanings, one must refer to the authentic tafsīr works of Ahl al-Sunnah. Every verse of the Qur’an is the truth, and believing in it is obligatory. It is the greatest miracle of the Prophet ﷺ and the final divine Book of Allah.
❖ Scholarly Explanation
◈ Imām al-Nawawī (d. 676H):
He said regarding the etiquettes of all people with the Qur’an:
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِنْ تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ﴾ (al-Ḥajj: 32)
“Whoever honors the symbols of Allah – indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.”
And in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Tamīm al-Dārī (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
((الدين النصيحة … لله ولكتابه ولرسوله ولأئمة المسلمين وعامتهم))
“Religion is sincere advice.” We asked: To whom, O Messenger of Allah? He replied: To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims, and to their common people.”
Al-Nawawī explained:
- The advice for the Book of Allah is to believe it is the speech of Allah, not resembling human speech.
- To recite it properly, beautify the recitation, ponder its meanings, and recite with humility.
- To protect it from false interpretations and misguidance of heretics.
- To confirm all that it contains, follow its rulings, study its sciences, reflect on its wonders, and act upon its admonitions.
- To spread its knowledge, call people to it, and honor it in every respect.
He added:
- The entire Ummah has consensus on the obligation of honoring and safeguarding the Qur’an.
- Whoever denies even a single agreed-upon letter, or adds something not part of its recitation knowingly, is a kāfir.
- Whoever disrespects the Qur’an, a portion of it, or the muṣḥaf, throws it in filth, rejects its rulings, affirms what it denies or denies what it affirms, or doubts any part of it knowingly, then he is a kāfir.
- It is harām for an unqualified person to interpret the Qur’an without knowledge.
- The tafsīr of the scholars is praiseworthy by consensus.
- Arguing about it without right is harām.
— al-Majmūʿ 2/170
Conclusion
- Respecting the Qur’an is obligatory.
- Disrespecting it is kufr.
- Proper recitation, reflection, protection from distortion, and spreading its knowledge are part of its rights upon us.
- Interpreting it without knowledge is prohibited.
