There Are Rules For Handling it Properly
Polite society thrives on unspoken rules. We say “Excuse me” when we brush past others. We know not to ask personal questions of a new acquaintance. Our culture thrives on these rules.
And so, if another culture writes these rules down, is it any different?
Islamic tradition prescribes the etiquette of handling the Quran—there is a right and wrong way to treat this holy book. While there are many rules to observe, we’re going to go over a few of the most important.
First, and most importantly, a person must be in a “clean” state by performing ritual purification, also known as wudu. This involves a ceremonial washing of the body, and the refraining from certain unclean acts which could invalidate the state of cleanness.
If someone is not in a state of wudu, they cannot even carry a Quran in a container.
A reader may not use saliva to moisten their fingertips in order to turn the pages of the Quran, nor may they use the Quran as a pillow.
Also important is the requirement that if a reader finishes the Quran, they must begin it anew, so that it does not resemble something that has been, or will be, abandoned.
These are just a few of the requirements Islamic culture dictates concerning the use of the Quran, but all of the rules for the handling of this sacred book serve as a reminder of its holiness.