—and to shield its sanctity from filthy places, forbidden venues, frivolous gatherings, singing, obscenity, degrading spectacles, and unlawful images.

Allah Most High says, “Indeed, this is truly a noble Qur’an, in a well-guarded Record; none touch it except the purified” (al-Wāqiʿah 56:77–79), and He says, “(Recorded) in honored scrolls, exalted and purified” (ʿAbasa 80:13–14).

Muslim relates (1869) from Ibn ʿUmar that “the Prophet ﷺ forbade carrying the Qur’an to the territory of the enemy, fearing that the enemy might gain possession of it.” Abū Dāwūd records in al-Marāsīl (p. 121) that the Prophet ﷺ said, “No one should touch the Qur’an except one who is in a state of purity.”

Among the ways the Qur’an is dishonored is to inscribe it on dishes or plaques set beside pictures, or to display it in places of amusement, or—what has lately appeared—to sculpt its words into shapes that imitate scenes of nature. All of this constitutes an affront to the Qur’an and a trivialization of it. Even if the person had no deliberate intent, he has nonetheless exposed the Book to humiliation and mockery.

Allah the Exalted says, “When you see those who engage in idle talk about Our revelations, turn away from them until they turn to a different subject; and if Satan causes you to forget, then after the reminder do not sit with the wrongdoing people” (al-Anʿām 6:68).