Can a Non Muslim read the Quran in English only?

I didn't even know that does that mean I can't read the quran? I listen to it ony iPod bit I was thinking of reading one, my partner bought some when he went to Mecca. bought one for me also, and it has some Arabic texts inside does that mean I can't read it yet?

Before I converted, I went to the masjid here and the imam gave me a copy of an English translation to read.

Scholars have differed in their opinions on handling the Quran(to mention a few - not touching it without wudu, not keeping it over your lap when reading instead use a rihal(stand)). While there are no hard and fast rules of how you should handle the Quran, Muslims we know that it is the word of God and we handle it with due respect. Now a person who has not yet converted cannot be expected to have wudu when reading the Quran or follow the rules of Islam. It is out of the respect we have for the Holy book, that we hesitate giving the version having the original text as we do not know if the person getting it would treat that the same way as we muslims do. In the worst case it may be abused too. And for someone who wants to learn the teachings of the Quran (before making up his/her mind to come to islam), as long as it is in a language that he/she understands, the purpose is served. Why should he/she be so interested in reading only the Arabic version?

May Allah (swt) forgive me if I am wrong, but I see absolutely nothing wrong with giving an English only translation of the Quran to a non-Muslim. There is a paperback version of Yusuf Ali translation that is perfect for this purpose. I converted to Islam after reading the Yusuf Ali translation with both English and Arabic when I was a Christian. I have given a Quran (English + Arabic) to a Jewish rabbi and a Christian who expressed interest. I asked that they not read it while on their period as I believe it is the Word of God. There is something about reading from a hardcover Quran written on high quality paper that conveys a majesty to the reader as opposed to a flimsy paperback.

My opinion is that providing the opportunity for a non-Muslim to read the Quran is more important than making sure he/she treats it with the same respect that we do. Another point is that if we are too restrictive in providing a Quran to those interested, then they will just go to amazon.com and buy any translation which may have been translated by an Orientalist or Islamophobe like "The Generous Qur'an, An Accurate, Modern English Translation of the Qur'an, Islam's Holiest Book" by Usama Dakdok. The title implies accuracy, but I know for a fact that the translator hates Islam and that he used English words to convey his own twisted understanding of Islam. There is an English-only version of the "Gracious Quran" that I like and it will be available soon, insha'Allah http://www.universalknowledgeinstitu...ming-soon.html Whereas, I highly doubt that a person would become a Christian just by reading the Bible, I am living proof that one can become a Muslim just by reading the Quran.

Does washing one's hands make one purified, or is it the making wudu by a believer in the manner that Muhammad (saaws) prescribed? After I make wudu I say, "Allah hum maj alni minat tawabeen waj alni minal muta tahareen". If an unbeliever washes his hands, is he penitent and spiritually purified even when there is no faith in his heart? I as a believer do not touch the Quran except with wudu.

I agree that this issue is unclear and the verse in and of itself leads to that conservative understanding, but the following commentary indicates a non-literal understanding. Allah (swt) knows best the meaning of this ayat.

http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura=56&verse=75&to=96

The fact, however, is that this commentary does not conform to the context of the verse. Independent of the context, one may take this meaning from its words, but if considered in the context in which the verse occurs, one does not see any ground for saying that: None is to touch this Book except the clean and purified people. For the addressees here are the disbelievers and they are being told, as if to say: This Book has been sent down by Allah, Lord of the worlds. Therefore, your suspicion that the satans inspire the Prophet (peace be upon him) with it is wrong. What could be the occasion here to enunciate the Shariah injunction that no one should touch it without purification? The most that one could say in this regard is that although this verse has not been sent down to enjoin this command, yet the context points out that just as only the purified (mutahharin) can touch this Book in the presence of Allah, so in the world also the people who at least believe in its being divine word should avoid touching it in the impure and unclean state.

I agree that this is controversial and I respect the conservative view. As you said Allah (swt) knows best.

Would giving a Quran with English and Arabic to an unbeliever be a sin? Would I be responsible for ensuring that he has first properly performed wudu each time he touched the Quran? Would his touching the Quran without wudu be a sin on him? Would it be better to give or loan someone a nice Quran, or a flimsy paperback, or let him find one on his own?

Well i am not sure about exact answer this time, i will post here after discussing my Teacher of Islamic studies but i have a idea for all non Muslim if they want to learn Quran in Arabic. You people may use online Quran to read it. I think there is no problem with it.

In Bosnia, we have the transcription of the Quran into Latin, but reading Quran looking in arabic letters is indispensable.

format_quote Originally Posted by marina28

I didn't even know that does that mean I can't read the quran? I listen to it ony iPod bit I was thinking of reading one, my partner bought some when he went to Mecca. bought one for me also, and it has some Arabic texts inside does that mean I can't read it yet?

I think this is exaggerated. I knew several people (not personally, just read their blogs) who converted to Islam because they read (and even, recited) Qur'an before converting. which one is more better priority? Forbidding non-muslims to read, touch, and recite Qur'an because the book is "too holy" for them, or letting them read, touch, recite, and explore Qur'an to extract its knowledges, wisdom, and who knows it can move their hearts too to be muslim and even...better muslim than us?

Islam is a flexible, easy religion. Allah and His messenger had promised so. Stop complicating it.

I appologize for double posting. I cannot find "edit post" button whatsoever to change my previous post. Mods, please don't give me penalty for this

A bit addition for my posting above. I'd like to share you a strange, sad, but true story. One day in a masjid, a 20-ish male entered a masjid. He's about to take wudu - rather awkwardly. His appearance was very eye-catchy to anyone - he had a lot of tattoo in his arms and necks, red-painted hair, piercings spread on his face, spikey hair and clothes, combat boots, and a T-shirt with some scary skulls pic and trash-metal band logo. okay, you got the picture.

just when he's about to take his wudu, several masjid guys (white clothes, longer beard type) came approached him and scrutinized how awful this guy looked. They harshly preached that tattoo and piercings are haraam - why the heck he wore them? The clothes and the way he looks are resembling kafiruun or even satan worshipper. This guy said nothing, cancelled his wudu, and left. He's never seen in the masjid since then.

Don't these masjid bigots realized that this guy could be actually...wants to repent his past life and trying to find God? It's true indeed that tattoo and piercings are haraam. maybe he did dressed up like a satanic. but that;s not what matters. This guy just wants to find God - period. And they have probably blocked his way.

it's same with this debate - "the disbeliever should not recite or touch Qur'an because it's too holy for them". what's more important? defending the "holy" thing which benefits nothing or no one, or saving one's soul in this life and hereafter?