Author: Allama Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jibreen (رحمہ اللہ)
“In the early centuries, there was a significant fear of Qur'anic desecration or tampering because handwritten copies were scarce. Now, the Qur'an is widely distributed, even in non-Muslim lands, and Allah’s promise to protect the Qur'an has been fulfilled.”
Allah knows best!
Question:
What is the ruling on traveling to non-Muslim countries with the Qur'an?Answer:
According to classical scholars, it is prohibited (haram) to carry the Qur'an while traveling to non-Muslim countries. This ruling is based on an authentic Hadith narrated by multiple sources, including Imam Muslim, Imam Ahmad, and Abu Dawood.Evidence from Hadiths:
- Prohibition of Traveling with the Qur'an:Abdullah bin Umar (رضی اللہ عنہما) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Do not travel with the Qur'an, for I fear that it may fall into the hands of the enemy.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Governance, Hadith 1829; Musnad Ahmad 106/2) - Another narration states:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade traveling with the Qur'an to enemy lands, fearing that it might fall into their hands.”
Imam Bukhari recorded this in Sahih Bukhari under the chapter titled “Dislike for Traveling with the Qur'an to Enemy Lands.” However, no explicit reasoning was provided.
Reasoning Behind the Ruling:
- Fear of Disrespect or Desecration:
If the enemy gains access to the Qur'an, there is a risk of it being desecrated or disrespected. - Possibility of Tampering or Alteration:
The enemy could potentially alter its text to mislead Muslims or use it to defame Islam.
Position of the Majority of Scholars:
The majority of scholars uphold the prohibition of carrying the Qur'an to non-Muslim lands due to these risks. However, some scholars have allowed it under certain conditions, such as:- Traveling with a strong Muslim army.
- A high degree of certainty of victory over the enemy.
Modern Context and Exceptions:
With the advent of printing presses and the widespread availability of Qur'anic copies worldwide, including translations in multiple languages, the risk of desecration or alteration has significantly diminished. Sheikh Muhammad Rashid noted in Adab Shar’iyyah (Vol. 2, Pg. 299):“In the early centuries, there was a significant fear of Qur'anic desecration or tampering because handwritten copies were scarce. Now, the Qur'an is widely distributed, even in non-Muslim lands, and Allah’s promise to protect the Qur'an has been fulfilled.”
Current Rulings:
- Permissible with Conditions:
It is now permissible to travel with the Qur'an to non-Muslim countries as long as:
- The intention is to propagate Islam.
- The traveler ensures its safekeeping and respect.
- It is used for personal worship or dawah purposes.
- Caution Required:
Due to potential mistranslations or misuse of Qur'anic content, extreme caution is advised. Verify the authenticity of translations when distributing the Qur'an in non-Muslim lands.
Conclusion:
Carrying the Qur'an to non-Muslim countries was initially prohibited due to the risks of desecration and tampering. However, with the current widespread availability of Qur'anic copies and translations, this prohibition is no longer absolute. Travelers must ensure the Qur'an's respect and use it responsibly, particularly for dawah purposes.Allah knows best!