Giving a Copy of the Qurʿān to a Non-Muslim Friend

Question:

Can I give a copy of the Qurʿān to my non-Muslim friend, as a gift? I am afraid, he may not keep it in a clean place.

Answer:

We are encouraged to present our non-Muslim friends a copy of the Qurʿān each, if we can afford to.

It's worth indicating that there's a disagreement among scholars of Islām regarding handling the Qurʿān for the one who is in the state of impurity (without wuḍhūʿ). While some opine we must be in the state of purity before handling the Qurʿān, others opine that we don’t have to be in state of purity in order to carry and handle the Qurʿān or read it.

If we are to go with the opinion that says one must be in the state of purity before he touches the Qurʿān, this rule is only applicable to Muslims, and not to non-Muslims. This is because the rulings of Islām are only imposed upon Muslims. A non-Muslim is not required with them, until he embraces Islām.

If we are to go with the opinion which allows us to carry the Qurʿān, even in the state of impurity, then there’s no issue with regards to non-Muslims.

However, If you certain, that the non-Muslim friend of yours, will abuse the Qurʿān, as a result of his hatred towards Islām, then you are prohibited to give it to him, until he changes his attitudes towards Islām.

In conclusion, a non-Muslim can touch and read the Qurʿan, whether it’s in Arabic or it comes with translation, provided he will not misplace it, or abuse it. But since a non-Muslim is likely not be able to read Arabic, it will be wise to give a translated version of the Qurʿān.

Allah knows best.
Allāhu Ḥāfiẓ