Can Qur'an be touched without wudu?
The question of whether the Qur'an can be touched without being in a state of wudu (ablution) has different perspectives within Islamic tradition.
According to Sunni sources, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is reported to have recited the Qur'an in various situations, as noted in a hadith: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to recite the Qur'an to us in all conditions except when he was in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah)
Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1:146. This indicates that while the Prophet refrained from recitation during major impurity, it does not explicitly address the permissibility of touching the Qur'an without wudu.
On the other hand, Shia sources suggest a more lenient view. In Al-Kafi, it is stated: There is no harm, and there is no prohibition in touching the Book
Al-Kafi 1:242. This suggests that touching the Qur'an is permissible even without wudu.
These differing interpretations highlight the nuances within the scholarly opinions on this matter, with the Shia perspective leaning towards allowing the touching of the Qur'an without wudu, while the Sunni tradition emphasizes the importance of being in a state of purity for recitation.
Sources
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Sunan al-Tirmidhi 1:146
Sunan al-Tirmidhi · Book 1, Hadith 146 · Narrated by Ali
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to recite the Qur'an to us in all conditions except when he was in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah).
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Al-Kafi 1:242
Al-Kafi · Book 1, Hadith 242
Patience is the foundation of faith. — OR — I asked him about someone who reads the Quran from the mus'haf while not being in wudu’ state. He said, "There is no harm, and there is no prohibition in touching the Book." — OR — I asked Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) about the charity that is forbidden for the sons of Hashim; what is it? He said, "It is the zakat." I said, "Is charity permissible for some of them to give to some of the others?" He said, "Yes." — OR — I asked him about the words of Allah, the Mighty and Glorious: 'And who is more unjust than one who fabricates a lie against Allah or says: It has been revealed to me, and nothing has been revealed to him?' He said: This was revealed about Ibn Abi Sarh, whom Uthman appointed over Egypt. He was among those whose blood the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) shed on the day of the conquest of Mecca, and he wrote for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family). When Allah the Almighty revealed the verse: "Indeed, Allah is Knowing, Wise," he would say to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family): "Leave it; indeed Allah is Knowing, Wise." Ibn Abi Sarh said to the hypocrites, "I say from myself what he brings; it does not affect me." So Allah revealed about him the verse which He revealed.
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