Firstly, the Quran is the word of Allah and it is obligatory to respect and honor it. We must choose the best conditions for it and not prefer anything over it as Allah says: “And whoever honors the symbols of Allah – indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.” [Al-Hajj 22:32]. Quran is the symbols’ origin and evidence.
Secondly, there is no disagreement that intentionally disrespecting Quran, including throwing it or a part of it in impure places, is an act of disbelief that takes a person out of the fold of Islam, and he must be asked to repent from this. This is agreed upon by the scholars of the four major schools of law.
Thirdly, it is forbidden for a Muslim to enter a place of relieving oneself with the Quran. If one has the Quran with them, they should leave it outside or not bring it at all, in order to preserve the word of Allah from being exposed to impure places. This is also agreed upon by the scholars of the different schools of law.
Fourthly, scholars have differed in their opinions regarding the ruling on a Muslim entering the bathroom with the Quran out of necessity, such as fearing it may be stolen, lost, or damaged in their bag. The Maliki and Hanbali schools of law have permitted it due to the necessity, with the Maliki scholars stipulating that it should be kept in a container or in the pocket. On the other hand, the Hanafi and Shafi’i schools of law consider it disliked even in cases of necessity. One of our scholars, Al-Zayla’i, said in his book “Tabyin al-Haqa’iq Sharh Kanz al-Daqaiq”: “If the Quran is in a sealed cover, it is not disliked to enter the bathroom with it, but taking precautions to avoid such a situation is preferable.” And Allah knows best.
Fatwa by Dr. Khālid Naṣr