Question:
How is it to give a non-Muslim a Quran Translation? I would like to know details concerning it. There is a famous dawah group called “Why Islam”, which calls non-Muslims to Islam. After giving them dawah, they give them a Quran Translation along with other books as a gift. So that they may read the books and become familiar with Islam and its laws. Is this action of theirs correct?
Some people consider this act improper and bad. I would like to know that is it better to give non-Muslims a Quran or other Deeni books when giving them dawah?
Answer:
To give non-Muslims a Quran with translation in the first instance of dawah is definitely inappropriate. There are many reasons for this:
- When a non-Muslim is given a Quran, then there is a high possibility that he will continuously touch it in the state of impurity.
- There is also no guarantee that he will place the Quran on an elevated place. Rather, he can throw it anywhere.
- And one of the most important points is that everyone is not able to understand all the topics and themes of the Quran. It is highly possible that a non-Muslim may read the verses on jihad etc. and take a wrong meaning from them. Then he will criticise and revile the Muslims, like how this type of talk is recurring.
Based on these and similar reasons, it is better to offer the non-Muslim Deeni books and books of Dawah written by reputable scholars than offering them a Quran Majeed. Then when they come close to Islam and the honour of the Book of Allah enters their hearts and one is rest assured that they will fully respect and honour the Quran Majeed, then it would not be a problem to give them a Quran with a translation.
The jurists (fuqaha) have only granted permission to give them a Quran when there is hope of good and no fear of disrespect. Where there is a fear of any such disrespect, permission will not be granted.
لَّا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ ﴿٧٩﴾
ويمنع النصراني من مسه وجوزه محمد إذا اغتسل ولا بأس بتعليمه القرآن والفقه عسى يهتدي. (الدر المختار 1:178)
تعظيم القرآن والفقه واجب. (الفتاوى الهندية 5:316)
لا يلقى في موضع يخل بالتعظيم. (الفتاوى الهندية 5:324)
قال ابن حجر المكي : والأولى أن لا يستدبره ولا يتخطاه ولا يرميه بالأرض. (الفتاوى الحديثية 307)
ولا تقعدوا على مكان ارفع مما عليه القران. (حياة المسلمين للتهانوي 54)
و حاصلهما سبق ان وقوع المصحف بايدي الكفار انما يمنع منه اذا خيف منهم اهاننه, اما اذا لم يكن مثل هذا الخوف, فلا باس بذلك لا سيما لتعليم القران و تبليغه. (تكملة فتح الملهم 3:386)
(Hazrat Mufti Saiyyid) Muhammad Salman Mansurpuri (May Allah preserve him)
The answer is correct. (Hazrat Mufti) Shabbir Ahmed Qasmi (May Allah preserve him)
Kitabun Nawazil Vol.17 Pg.237-238
Also see here.
