Topic guide: Quran care and adab, with 15 related pages below
AdabHow to carry the Quran respectfully
Widely followed practice is to keep the Quran clean and covered, carry it above other items rather than underneath them, never place it on the floor, and keep it away from anything wet or dirty. A separate sleeve or cover inside the bag makes this easy, especially for children.
Handmade leather madrasah bag, coming soonRegister interest
Respect for the mushaf is part of Islamic manners (adab) in every school of thought. The details below are widely followed across communities; for specific rulings — for example about wudu before touching the mushaf — ask your local imam or teacher, as practice differs.
Widely followed practices
- Keep it covered. Many families use a cloth cover (ghilaf) or zipped case.
- Nothing on top of it. Pack other books and items underneath, or keep the Quran in its own section.
- Off the floor. Don't put the bag holding the Quran on a wet or dirty floor; hang it or place it on a shelf or chair.
- Away from wet items. Drinks and wet clothes go in a separate pocket or bag.
- Carry it with care. Don't swing or throw the bag; teach children to put it down gently.
- Not into the toilet. Leave the bag outside the washroom.
Teaching children
Children copy what's easy. A bag with a clear, separate place for the Quran does half the teaching for you: the book always goes in the same place, on top, protected. Explain the why once — "this is Allah's words, so we look after it" — and the habit usually sticks.
What if the Quran gets damaged?
Accidents happen. A Quran that is torn, water-damaged or no longer usable should be disposed of respectfully, usually by burial. Our sister service BookBurial handles this by post anywhere in the UK.
Questions people also ask
Can you put the Quran in a bag?
Yes. Carrying the Quran in a clean bag or cover is common practice. Keep it on top of other items or in its own section, and keep the bag off dirty floors.
Should the Quran be kept above other books?
Many Muslims keep the Quran on top of other books and items rather than underneath them, as a mark of respect.
Everything in quran care and adab
- Teaching children to look after the QuranSimple, practical ways to teach children to handle and carry the Quran with respect, without constant nagging.
- What is a mushaf?A mushaf (also mus'haf, plural masahif) is a physical, written copy of the Quran. Meaning in English, mushaf vs Quran, and the common layouts used in the UK.
- What is a ghilaf?A ghilaf is a cloth cover for the Quran. Why Muslims use Quran covers, the different types, and how a cover works with a madrasah bag.
- Wudu and touching the QuranWudu is the ritual washing before prayer. What most scholars say about wudu before touching the mushaf, and practical tips for children at madrasah.
- What is a rehal?A rehal is a folding X-shaped stand that holds the Quran open off the floor while reading. Materials, sizes and how it's used.
- Quran pages getting bent or crumpled in the bagWhy Qurans get bent corners and crumpled pages in a child's bag, how to flatten them, and how to stop it happening.
- Quran got wet in the bag: what to doStep-by-step: how to dry a Quran that got wet from rain or a leaking bottle, how to stop pages sticking and cockling, and when it should be retired respectfully.
- Quran binding coming loose or pages falling outWhat to do when a Quran's spine cracks or pages start falling out: safe repairs, what not to use, and when to retire it respectfully.
- The Quran fell on the floor: what should I do?What to do if a Quran is dropped on the floor by accident, what most scholars say, and how to stop it happening again.
- How to store Qurans at homeHow to store Qurans respectfully and keep them in good condition: shelf height, covers, light, damp, and stopping pages yellowing or curling.
- Too many Qurans at home: what to do with extra copiesOptions for spare or old Qurans piling up at home: donating good copies, sending them abroad, and respectful burial for damaged ones.
- Is leather halal, and can you carry the Quran in a leather bag?Is leather halal? What scholars say about tanned hides, pigskin and carrying the Quran in a leather bag or cover.
- How to make a simple Quran coverA step-by-step guide to making a fabric Quran cover (ghilaf) at home, with or without a sewing machine: measuring, materials and a no-sew option.
- Travelling with a Quran: flights, Umrah and holidaysHow to pack and carry a Quran when travelling: hand luggage vs hold, keeping it clean and dry, Umrah and Hajj, and using a pocket copy or app.
- Where do bags go in a quran circle?How to keep bags tidy in a madrasah or Quran circle: where to put them, why a rehal and a clear floor matter, and how to teach children to look after their things.