Question:
In The Qur’an Allah mentions that some of the verses are of allegorical nature and are not to be understood literally. For example, Ka’bah is called the House of God but We know it is a symbolic house and not literally the House of God. Similarly, when Allah says The Holy Qur’an is his Word, does that carry a literal meaning or is it a symbolic statement. Kindly clarify.
Answer:
According to the belief of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah, the Qur’an is the quality of Allah and it is His word literally. It is not a symbolic statement. However, we are unqualified to understand the manner in which Allah conducts His speech. Therefore, it is not permissible for one who is not purified to touch the Qur’an neither can one who is in the state of Janaabat or Haidh recite it.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
26 May 2005
17 Rabee’uth Thaani 1426