Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: It is not permissible to lay hands on words of Holy Quran, Divine gracious names without ablution

The daily scholarly meeting of Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Sadiq al-Hosseini al-Shirazi was held on Wednesday, the 17th of Sha’ban. In this session, like the previous meetings, the Marja answered the questions of the attendees about various jurisprudence issues.

Regarding the ruling of touching and laying hands on the words of Azan and Iqamah, Grand Ayatollah Shirazi said: Touching and laying hands on the words of Azan and Iqamah without ablution has not been mandated as forbidden by Sharia. Of course, touching and laying hands on the name of God, including the word “Allah” and like the word “Allahu Akbar” in any context, including the words of Azan and Iqamah, is not permissible without being in a state of ablution.

His Eminence continued: Therefore, there is no Sharia-based reason for the impermissibility of touching and laying hands on the words of Azan and Iqamah, but in relation to the words of the Holy Qur’an, we have a clear directive in verse 79 of Surah Al-Waqi’ah, where it says: “It is not touched except with clean and pure hands.”

The Marja further said: Touching the holy names of God Almighty is not permissible without ablution, and there is consensus among jurists in this regard. But apart from the Divine names and the words of the Qur’an, even regarding the names of the Ma’sumeen, peace be upon them, some jurists issued a fatwa of mandatory precaution. Although, out of respect, it is more desirable not to touch the names of the Infallibles without ablution, but this is generally a mustahab precaution.