can non muslim own the quran? if so should it be treated as just another book on the shelf?

Answer 1

I own several and they're all stuffed in the bottom of boxes.

Answer 2

I am not Muslim but I have one at my house. It is actually in a memory box because my husband brought it back from Iraq where Iraqi civilian who he became close to gave it to him to remember him by. He shortly after was murdered for supporting American troops. Back to the question it should be treated with respect as should any religious book just another book on the shelf? Yea well I am not Muslim so it doesn't hold significant religious value to me so for me it basically is.

Answer 3

Well, if it's published and you pay for it... it's yours. As for how you treat it... hmmm... seems to me like you know that it's very important to a number of people around the world who believe it's the word of their God. But if you don't share that belief, then it's just a book like any other. I suggest you treat it with a little more respect and dont use it to squish bugs and other crawlies or stop a door or any of the incomprehensible things people seem to do with their books. Let it lie on your shelf after you're done reading it. Enjoy!

Answer 4

Well, anybody can own a copy of the Koran (its not like people ask to see proof of your religion before you are given one). If you mean religiously, the answer is still yes. Islam doesn't forbid it. In fact, it is encouraged because a part of being a muslim is to teach and educate others about Islam especially if someone asks to be taught about Islam. For this reason, there are actually plenty of resources (even here in the US) where one can obtain a free copy of the Koran. There are plenty of people/organizations/publishers who believe that Koran should not be sold. It is not something that can be bought nor sold. You cannot put a price on it. And if anything, it should definitely not be bought/sold for profit. You can get pretty much any language you desire (depending which part of the world you are in). You can get original Arabic, with English (or other language) translations, and even annotated with detail, for free.

The Koran should definitely not be treated like any other book on shelf because Islam doesn't allow its followers to do the same with the Bible or the Torah, for example. They should be respected and not desecrated. For example, one must cleanse oneself before even touching the Koran. One must wash hands, face, and feet with the body appropriately covered (for both men and women) before sitting to read the Koran. When the Koran is being read (silently or out loud like a recitation), others around you must be quiet so try not to do it where other people around you are busy, watching TV, or blasting music. Do it alone or in a quiet place. If you are reading the Koran out loud then everyone who can hear you must listen to you quitely. Never put it on the floor or somewhere where one can put ones' feet. The convention is to always hold it with one's right hand (when it is closed) with a firm grip (not hanging down but rather clenched against your chest) and when you want to open it, put it in your left hand and then open it with your right hand. Then you can hold it with your left hand, right hand, both, or you can use one of those book holders. It is preferred not to be placed on a table or something (because usually they aren't clean). And usually the Koran is read while sitting on the floor (if you are in a mosque or something like you must have seen it in some movies) and since you cannot put it on the floor and your hand will be very tired really fast, those book holders can be pretty handy. In fact, there are specific ones made for Koran, they are not necessary but they go hand-in-hand with a Koran.

The Koran is not supposed to be kept for decoration or adding to one's collection. The purpose of the Koran is be read, understood, and followed. But unfortunately, the sad truth is that, even muslims, today treat the Koran the same way. The Koran just sits on a shelf buried beneath other books doing nothing but collecting dust.

And also, there are rules for disposing of the Koran as well. You can't just simply throw it in the trash or rip the pages.


@williwfireball below
Actually, on the contrary (like I said above) muslims will be glad if you tell them you awn a copy of the Koran (hopefully not desecrating it because then it is obviously most offensive) and like I said if you are looking for one, there are plenty of places to get a copy of the Koran.

Answer 5

I'm sure most Muslims would be outraged to have non-Muslims owning the Quran, as a former soldier I used mine in the past to assist me in knowing my enemies and my friends........

Answer 6

If your a non-muslim then it is just another book on the shelf......

Answer 7

Anyone can own a Quaran. For most it sits on the shelf.

Answer 8

You should treat it the same as you treat any other book that is considered holy or sacred.

Answer 9

I am a firmly convinced Christian who loves to learn about other styles of worship and religious thoughts.

I bought my copy on e bay.