Can we gift Holy Quran to non-Muslims?

The Holy Quran is the last, eternal and blessed word of Allah Most High and it does not belong to any particular class, caste, section, etc, but is guidance for the whole of humanity.  Allah Ta’ala says:

…the Qur’an has been sent down as guidance for mankind containing clear Signs which lead (to the straight road) and distinguish (the Truth from falsehood).  Surah Baqarah (2:185)

If you are sure that the non-Muslims will accord the respect to the Holy Quran, which it deserves, then they can be gifted a copy of the Holy Quran and can be taught it as well.  They should also be taught that the Holy Quran should be touched after bathing.  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 5, Kitabul Karahiyya

There is no problem in teaching the Holy Quran to the non-Muslims and if there is no danger of their disrespecting the Holy Quran in any way, then they can be gifted copies of the Holy Quran as well.  This is because the respect of the Holy Quran is anyhow compulsory and protecting it from disrespect is our duty.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Muslim:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah bin 'Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has prohibited taking the Holy Quran to the lands of enemies (lest they disrespect it in any way).  (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 4947)

If there is no danger of this, then there is nothing to stop us from giving the Holy Quran to them, as has been proven by the above lines.

And Allah knows best.

Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri

[Professor, Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia,
Founder-Director, Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]