QUESTION:
When traveling abroad, what is the best way to carry one’s Quraan Shareef? Would it be better in checked-in luggage or hand luggage? Can it be kept in the overhead storage, or is it preferable to sky-check? Which of these options would be most respectable?
ANSWER:
Respecting the Quraan Sharif is based on the common understanding amongst the people. What people (with a sound temperament) consider as respect to the Quraan Sharif will be considered as respect, and what they consider as disrespect, will be regarded as disrespect.
الا دب هو الطريقة الحسنة في المعاشرة وغيرها (بذل المجهود ص205 ج13)
If the Quraan Sharif is kept in a handbag which is carried in a respectable manner, then there is no harm in doing so. The handbag is always hung around the shoulder and kept in an elevated position. Also, by keeping the Quraan Sharif in the handbag one has easy access when intending Tilaawat.
Similarly, one may also keep the Quraan Sharif in the passport bag which always remains in the hands of a person and is not thrown around disrespectfully. Using one’s hand luggage is also an option as a last resort, even though it may be placed on the ground at times. [Re:- Ahsanul Fataawa Pg.22 Vol.8]
Alternately, one may carry a pocket-size Quraan Sharif which remains in the pocket. However, one shouldn’t enter the restroom with the Quraan Sharif as far as possible. Yes, if there is a need to enter as there is fear of it being destroyed if left outside the restroom, then it should be wrapped in a piece of cloth or in a clean handkerchief and placed in the pocket, and then one may then enter.
سُئِلَ الْفَقِيهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ – رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى – عَمَّنْ كَانَ فِي كُمِّهِ كِتَابٌ فَجَلَسَ لِلْبَوْلِ أَيُكْرَهُ ذَلِكَ؟ . قَالَ: إنْ كَانَ أَدْخَلَهُ مَعَ نَفْسِهِ الْمَخْرَجَ يُكْرَهُ، وَإِنْ اخْتَارَ لِنَفْسِهِ مَبَالًا طَاهِرًا فِي مَكَان طَاهِرٍ لَا يُكْرَهُ، وَعَلَى هَذَا إذَا كَانَ فِي جَيْبِهِ دَرَاهِمُ مَكْتُوبٌ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى، أَوْ شَيْءٌ مِنْ الْقُرْآنِ فَأَدْخَلَهَا مَعَ نَفْسِهِ الْمَخْرَجَ يُكْرَهُ، وَإِنْ اتَّخَذَ لِنَفْسِهِ مَبَالًا طَاهِرًا فِي مَكَان طَاهِرٍ لَا يُكْرَهُ، وَعَلَى هَذَا إذَا كَانَ عَلَيْهِ خَاتَمٌ وَعَلَيْهِ شَيْءٌ مِنْ الْقُرْآنِ مَكْتُوبٌ أَوْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِ اسْمُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى فَدَخَلَ الْمَخْرَجَ مَعَهُ يُكْرَهُ، وَإِنْ اتَّخَذَ لِنَفْسِهِ مَبَالًا طَاهِرًا فِي مَكَان طَاهِرٍ لَا يُكْرَهُ، كَذَا فِي الْمُحِيطِ. (الفاوي الهندية ص323 ج5)
ثم محل الكراهة إن لم يكن مستورا فإن كان في جيبه فإنه حينئذ لا بأس به وفي القهستاني عن المنية الأفضل إن لا يدخل الخلاء وفي كمه مصحف إلا إذا اضطر ونرجو أن لا يأثم بلا اضطرار اهـ وأقره الحموي وفي الحلبي الخاتم المكتوب فيه شيء من ذلك إذا جعل فصه إلى باطن كفه قيل لا يكره والتحرز أولى اه (حاشية الطحطاوي ص54 ج1)
مَدُّ الرِّجْلَيْنِ إلَى جَانِبِ الْمُصْحَفَ إنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِحِذَائِهِ لَا يُكْرَهُ، وَكَذَا لَوْ كَانَ الْمُصْحَفُ مُعَلَّقًا فِي الْوَتَدِ وَهُوَ قَدْ مَدَّ الرِّجْلَ إلَى ذَلِكَ الْجَانِبِ لَا يُكْرَهُ، كَذَا فِي الْغَرَائِبِ. (الفتاوي الهندية ج٥ص٣٢٢)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date:- 11 Rajab 1445 / 23 January 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
