How Should the Quran Be Placed to Show Proper Respect?

Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa

Question

What is the correct way to place the Quran alongside other books to show it proper respect?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.

The Proper Placement of the Quran

The correct way to place the Quran when it is stored with other books, whether in a library or any other location, is to always keep the Quran above all other books. It is not permissible to place it beneath or under any other book. This is done out of respect and reverence for the Quran, as it should not be treated like any other book.

If there are multiple copies of the Quran, it is permissible to stack them on top of each other, but they should not be placed on the floor or in a place that is disrespectful or unclean, nor should they be kept near anything impure. Allah (Most High) says:

“That is so. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah, it is certainly out of the piety of the heart.” [Quran, 22:32]

Storing the Quran with Other Books

It is also preferable that if the Quran is stored in a library containing books of disbelief or atheism, the Quran should be kept distinct from them. Efforts should be made to place the Quran away from such books, either on a separate shelf or on the highest shelves. This is because it is the noble book about which Allah (Most High) says:

“Indeed, those who deny the Reminder after it has come to them (are doomed), for it is truly a mighty Book. It cannot be proven false from any angle. (It is) a revelation from the (One Who is) All-Wise, Praiseworthy.” [Quran, 41:41-42]

It is also the book containing the best of speech, as Allah (Most High) says:

“(It is) Allah (Who) has sent down the best message—a Book of perfect consistency and repeated lessons—which causes the skin (and hearts) of those who fear their Lord to tremble, then their skin and hearts soften at the mention of (the mercy of) Allah. That is the guidance of Allah, through which He guides whoever He wills. But whoever Allah leaves to stray will be left with no guide.” [Quran, 39:23]

Hierarchy of Book Placement

Ibn Jama‘a stated that the proper etiquette for arranging books is based on the knowledge they contain, their significance, and the status of their authors. The most honorable should be placed at the top, and a hierarchy should be followed. If the Quran is present, it should be placed above all others. Ideally, it should be stored in a cover with a loop, hung on a clean and pure wall in a prominent position in the room.

Next should come books of pure Hadith like Sahih Muslim, followed by Quranic exegesis, Hadith commentary, ‘Usul al-Din, ‘Usul al-Fiqh, then Fiqh, then grammar and morphology, and finally Arabic poetry and prosody. If two books in the same genre are equal, the one with more Quran or Hadith content should be placed higher. [Ibn Jama‘a, Tazkirat al-Sami‘ wa al-Mutakallim]

Transporting the Quran and Islamic Books

The author of “al-Muhit al-Burhani” mentioned that if a Quran or any Islamic book is carried on an animal in a saddlebag, and the owner rides on top of it, this is not considered disliked. [Ibn Maza, al-Muhit al-Burhani fi al-Fiqh al-Nu‘mani]

Respecting the Quran Beyond Placement

Finally, honoring the Quran is part of honoring Allah (Most High). Therefore, in addition to respecting the Quran when it is placed with other books, it should also be read in a clean place. It is disliked to read it in impure places, such as bathrooms or similar areas.

May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa