Can Quran Be Read Without Wudu (Ablution)

The Holy Qur'an is the word of God Almighty. Therefore, it is forbidden to touch it in an impure state, without wudu (Ablution). Almost all scholars of all ages agree that it is necessary to attain holiness to touch the Qur'an directly. This provision has been narrated purely from the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions. Imam Nawabi and Imam Taymiyyah (R.H.) said, ‘Hazrat Ali, Saad bin Abi Waqqas, Salman, Abdullah bin Omar (R.H.) and other Companions have given their views on the prohibition of touching the Qur’an without ablution. The other Companions have no opinion to the contrary.' (Sharh al-Muhazzab: 2/80, Majmoo' Al Fatawa: 21/266)

There is no disagreement among the scholars of the four Madhhabs regarding the provision that the Qur'an cannot be touched in an impure state. But yes, there is disagreement among the scholars as to whether the provision is proved by the verses of the Qur'an or by the hadith. The difference of opinion regarding the verse of the Qur'an is: 'No one touches it (the Qur'an) except those who are pure.' (Surah Waqia, verse: 69). Hazrat Ibn Abbas and Anas (Ra.) said, The purpose of this verse is towards Lohe Mahfuz's Qur'an and angels. That is, people are not mentioned here, angels are mentioned. And many Tabi'is, including Salman Farsi (RA), believe that this verse is about the Quran that was given to us earthlings and it proves that we need to be cleaned to touch the Quran. (Tafsir Tabari: 23/150, Ibn Kathir: 8/545)

Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘The Qur’an that we have is the Qur’an that is in Lohe Mahfuz. The Qur'an is Qur'an, although it is written on the leaves of trees, animal skins, stones, or paper. So since the commandment of the written book in the heavens is not to be touched by anyone except his holiness, the same rule is required in the case of the Qur'an on earth. Because the honor of this Qur'an is the same as that of the Qur'an. (Sharhul Umdah: 1/384)

What is in the pure hadith about this?

One. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wrote a letter to Amr bin Hazm (RA) to the effect that 'no one will touch the Qur'an without being purified.' (Muwatta Imam Malik: 680, Sahih Ibn Hibban: H. 5759, Assunanul Kubra Lilbayhaqi: H. 406)

Imam Ahmad (RA) said, "As far as I know, the hadith is correct." (Damascus on 22/306)

Imam Yaqub ibn Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I do not know of any letter purer than this letter of Amr bin Hazm (may Allah be pleased with him)." (Tarikh e Damascus: 22/306)

Imam Hakeem Naisaburi (R.H.) said, "Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz and Imam Zuhri (R.H.) have testified to the authenticity of this letter." (Al-Mustadrak: 1/396) Ishbili (Rah.) And other hadith scholars have said the same about it.

Two. Hazrat Hakim Ibn Hijam (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when he sent him as the governor of Yemen said, 'The Qur'an will not be touched without sanctity.'", Sunan Dara Qutni: H. 440) Imam Hakeem and Allama Jahabi (Rah.) Have called the hadith correct.

Three. Abdullah bin Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "No one should touch the Qur'an except the holy ones." (Al-Muzammul Kabir: Ha. H. 8255) Ibn Hazar Askalani (R.H.) said, 'There is no problem in the chain of transmission of the hadith.' (Attalkhisul Habir: 1/131) / 26)

Four. According to Ibn 'Umar, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade the disbelievers to take the Qur'an to the land. (Saheeh Muslim: H. 189)The Prophet advised that so that the kaafirs can not touch the Quran in an unholy state and May the Qur'an not be insulted by the disbelievers. (Alistizkar: 5/22)

Five. Hazrat Omar (RA) asked his sister to show him the Qur’an while he was a kaafir, then his sister said, ‘You are unclean! And no one can touch this book unless they are holy. '

An argument for touching the Qur'an without ablution!

Opposing the Companions, the Tabein, the four Madhhabs, and most of the scholars of all ages, some have argued for touching the Qur'an without ablution. Their proof (!) Is - one. Narrated from Hazrat Ali (RA), the Prophet (SAW) used to come out of Istinja (toilet) and recite our Qur'an without ablution and eat meat with us. Nothing prevented him from reading the Qur'an except when bathing was obligatory. '(Abu Dawood: H. 229). The correct explanation of this verse is, it is okay to recite the Quran in an unholy state. There is no mention of touch here. Therefore, in the light of the hadiths mentioned earlier, it is known that it is haraam to touch the Qur'an in an unclean state.

Two. Another proof (!) Of those who want to touch the Qur'an in an unclean state is that it is narrated in Bukhari that the verses of the Qur'an were written in the letter that the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent to the Roman Emperor Heraclius. But he was a disbeliever.

The hadith scholars have interpreted this hadith in such a way that the incident of sending a letter that took place before touching the Qur'an in an impure state became prohibited, so this provision has been repealed. (Sharh Bukhari, Ibn Battal: 1/156)

Some hadith scholars have said that this hadith proves that if one writes verses of the Qur'an in a letter or something else, those letters can be touched in an impure state, although the verses cannot be touched. That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) wrote the verse. (Al-Minhaj: 12/106)

A simple argument and its answer: Many brothers argue that the Qur'an was revealed for the guidance of all people, so its lessons should be kept open to all. If purity is conditioned to touch the Qur'an, then non-Muslims will be deprived of the teachings and guidance of the Qur'an as they are usually unclean (Do not perform Ablution). In response to this, First of all, it is necessary to remember that it is foolish to present own argument before Allah and His Messenger. Because Islam means to surrender before the provision of Allah and His Messenger. Now, if anyone argues against the provisions of Allah and His Messenger, then whatever it is, it is not the norm of Islam. Secondly, the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions were more interested in the guidance of non-Muslims. Nevertheless, the provision of sanctity has been narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions in this regard. The incident between Omar (RA) and his sister mentioned above is a shining example of this. Because his sister was interested in his guidance but did not allow him to touch the Qur'an in an impure state. This provision is not an obstacle for those who seek guidance; On the contrary, it reveals the greatness of the Qur'an to non-Muslims. Nevertheless, as we have already mentioned, it is permissible to invite non-Muslims in other ways. If non-Muslims insult the Qur'an, will Muslims do the same?

It is permissible to touch the Qur'an with an unworn cloth, etc., without touching it directly in an impure state. But, the Quran cannot be touched by the cloth that the reader wore. (Raddul Muhtar: 1/174)

If there is any cover on the Qur'an Sharif which is not attached to the Qur'an Sharif, then it can be touched. (Fathul Qadir: 1/149)