Question 128: I know that one must perform Wudhu before you touch the Qur’an. What is the proper etiquette for handling the Qur’an and does it apply to the translations as well or just Qur’an in Arabic?
Answer 128: It is haraam to touch the script of the holy Qur’an with any part of one’s body, without performing Wudhu. There is no harm in touching the translation of the holy Qur’an, in any language, without Wudhu.
It is haraam, as an obligatory precaution, to touch the Names of Allah (SWT), without Wudhu, in whichever language it may have been translated. It is also haraam to touch, without Wudhu, the blessed names of the Holy Prophets of Islam, the Holy Imams and Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be upon them).[1]It is makrooh (abominable) for a person in the state of Janabat to touch the cover, the margin or border of the holy Qur’an, with one’s body and keeping the holy Qur’an with oneself. In case, however, a person touches the Qur’an or holy names by mistake, there is no problem.
Note: It is Mustahab (recommended) to be in Wudhu for touching the margins of the Quran also.[2]
It is obligatory to perform Wudhu for the following six things:
For all obligatory prayers, except Namaz-e-Mayyit. As regards Mustahab prayers, Wudhu is a condition for their validity. For the Sajdah and Tashahhud which a person forgot to perform during the prayers, provided that he invalidated his Wudhu after namaz, and before performing those forgotten acts. It is not obligatory to perform Wudhu for Sajdatus sahw. For the obligatory Tawaf of the holy Ka’bah. If a person has made a Nadhr, or a solemn pledge, or taken an oath for Wudhu. If a person has made a Nadhr, for example, that he would kiss the Holy Qur’an. For washing and making Pak the holy Qur’an which has become najis, or for taking it out from lavatory etc. in which it has fallen, when he becomes obliged to touch the script of the holy Qur’an with his hand, or some other part of his body. But if t he delay by making Wudhu causes further desecration of the holy Qur’an, one should take it out from lavatory etc., or make it Pak, without performing Wudhu.[3]
For further information in this regards, please read the following answers:
Index: Women: Obligatory of wearing Hijab to recite the Holy Quran, answer 358.
Index: Making Wudu when you are going to bed, answer 032.
Index: Number of things which invalidate Wudu (ablution), answer 556.
[1] . The Official website of the office of Sayyid Sistani (ha), Islamic Laws, rules regarding Wudu, Things for which Wudhu is obligatory.
[2] . Tawzih al-Masael of Maraja’ (with annotation of Imam Khomeini ra), vol.1, pgs. 186-187-214.
[3] . The Official website of the office of Sayyid Sistani (ha), Islamic Laws, rules regarding Wudu, Things for which Wudhu is obligatory.