Traveling with the Quran

By Fiza Fatima Asar

Many of us often deny the presence of the Quran in our daily lives, because of our concern over the rulings surrounding the question of traveling with the Quran. All scholars agree that the word of Allah (swt) is above all other words in the world and has to be treated with respect by every Muslim. While it is important that we are careful of how we treat the word of Allah (swt), especially in Arabic, it should not imply that we do not travel with the Quran. Nowadays, when we spend so much time traveling by car, bus, train and plane, it would be a great loss, if we decided not to take our favourite copy of the Quran with us.

There are several ways we can keep the Quran close to us while traveling. We can creatively use technology for not missing out on the holy book:

(1) The Quran can be nicely covered and kept in a safe place in our bags. Most of us are careful and have an outer covering for our phones and electronic gadgets. We can use the same strategy here. SunniPath.com states that it is best to carry the Mushaf that has a plastic cover/jacket, which is not sewn or glued to it – that way it can be touched even when one is not in Wudhu.

(2) Women, who have their periods, can wear gloves or avoid touching the Arabic script of the Quran.

(3) If we want to be extremely careful, we can carry our favourite Quran in a translated language, which does not have the Arabic text.

(4) The Quran can be carried in the form of digital books or software. Islam-QA.com says that it permissible to have the Quran on one’s mobile phone or in any other digital form.

(5) Many of us have ipods, iphonesand cell phones with enough memory to save the complete Quran text on it. There are styluses (or pens), which can be used to scroll up and down within these gadgets. When the electronic gadget is off, the Arabic text will not be in direct contact with anything else and, therefore, cannot be disrespected.

Scholars have addressed some of the frequently asked questions regarding carrying the Quran:

(1) Mufti Ibrahim Desai, Darul Iftah, South Africa, has specified that it is permissible to carry the Quran while traveling. However, one must be careful about Wudhu (ablution). If it is difficult to perform Wudhu repeatedly while traveling, then care must be taken only to recite the Quran (from the Mushaf, computer or a digital form) and not directly touch the Quran.

(2) He has also advised to try to sit in the front seat, so that no one has his/her back to the Quran.

(3) Also, according to Islam-QA.com, the Mushaf can be put in one’s pocket, pants or other clothes while traveling, as long as it is protected against tearing or mishandling. Mufti Ibrahim, along with Faraz Rabbani (SunniPath.com), has emphasized that it is best to carry the Quran in one’s shirt or jacket pocket rather than in the pockets of pants, as it is more respectful and keeps the Quran elevated. For similar reasons, it is best to carry the Quran in hand-carry, rather than send it off in the baggage.

Whether it is a working professional commuting to and back from work, a mother dropping her children off and picking them up from school, or someone flying to another city or even country, we all spend a considerable time of our lives traveling. May Allah (swt) give us the opportunity to make the best use of our time and remain close to Him and His word, Ameen.