Question 440
Is it permissible for a person in a state of impurity touch the Mushaf?
Answer:
Shaykh Yahya Hafidahullah was asked, ‘Is it wajib upon a person to do wudhu before touching the Mushaf to recite the Quran’ ?
The Shaykh answered :
It is not Wajib. The Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to recite the Quran in all of his situations. This is established in ‘Sahih Muslim’ from the hadeeth of Aaishah (Radiallahu anha).[Muslim 373]
But if a person chooses to perform ablution (Wudhu) similar to (when) the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) performed Tayammum and said, ‘I disliked to remember Allah while I am not in Taharah’ [Abu Dawud 17, Ahmad Vol.4 pg 345, Nasai Vol.1 pg 37, Saheeh Al Musnad 1145] then this ablution is for betterment only.
As for the saying of Allah, ‘None can touch it except the Purified ones’ [Al Waqi`ah – 79].
And the saying of Allah :
‘Nay, (do not do like this), indeed it (these Verses of this Quran) are an admonition, So whoever wills, let him pay attention to it. (It is) in Records held (greatly) in honour (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfooz). Exalted (in dignity), purified, In the hands of scribes (angels). Honourable and obedient. ‘ [`Abasa – 11-16].
(Here) It means the Angels. This is the saying of a number of scholars of Tafseer. This what was chosen by the Imam Ibn Katheer in the explanation of the Ayah in Al Waqi`ah.
And the hadeeth ‘None touches the Quran except the Pure’. They said : no one should touch the Quran except the Muslim because the Muslim is pure, due to the hadeeth ‘Subhanallah, the Muslim never becomes impure’. This was saying of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).
And the disbeliever is impure as Allah has said:
‘O you who believe (in Allah’ s Oneness and in His Messenger (Muhammad Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)! Verily, the Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and in the Message of Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)) are Najasun (impure). So let them not come near Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) after this year’ [At Tawbah – 28]
Al Hamdulillah.
Taken from Majmoo Fatwa of Shaykh Yahya Hafidahullah.
Translated by : AbdunNoor Al Hindi