Non-Muslim debates about handling and conserving The Holy Quran
A debatable question about handling the holy Quran “mus-haf” (specifically during the binding and conservation process) has been posted on one of the bookbinding and conservation Facebook groups the question was:
“Hi! I am about to restore a tiny Coran and was just wondering if there were any "forbidden" stuff or techniques for this kind of sacred texts? (In terms of glue or paper) - Sorry for the weird question I just would not like to offend anybody! ”
Many of the group members start to comment giving answers or recommendations from their own point of view or from other different interpretations. Moreover, some members start writing in a racist manner.
Thanks to my dear Facebook friend Göran Nilsson who mention me in such an important post, writing “Why not ask someone who works with this daily - Sherif Afifi?” And many thanks for who wrote the post to open the discussion.
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Holy Quran |
First of all, I would like to clarify that I am not a scholar of religion, so I will try to answer from the point of view of a Muslim who lives in Egypt. I have read all the comments, some of which give a lot of deceptive answers to a non-Muslim bookbinder regarding handling the holy Quran.
There is no doubt that handling and conserving any sacred text should be done with care and respect, this is a major ethic that all conservators should respect and follow. In addition, it is a plus if the conservators understand more about a specific sacred text from the point of view of their adherents.
I will try to answer to the comments that
triggered this post:
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| No klucel? |
- As some explained here -and it is completely true - that the old Quran are written on parchment, so, it is not logical to just steer clear of any animal products or using materials that don't come from an animal that we eat or animal skin; unless it is only the customer requirement and needs from his own point of interest.
Pork meats and lard products are forbidden to Muslims to eat (not Halal). Pork related products should not be used in binding Qurans as a matter of respect to the Holy Quran and Muslims. However, it is OK to use such materials if it is the ONLY materials available with no other alternatives, or these materials are the only recommended solution according to scientific researches to be used to conserve and preserve it. |
| Wouldn’t Muslims also be offended? |
- Muslims wouldn’t be offended if a non-Muslim
restored Holy Quran books if they have the required knowledge and skills to
restore and conserve it. Furthermore, if a Muslim and non-Muslim, for instance,
are working at the same conservation lab and the non-Muslim is more expert in
such a conservation case, the conservation process will be assigned to the non-Muslim.
However, knowing more about the history, traditions and culture of the
conserved objects area and origin gives the conservator a clearer idea about
what should and should not be done. For example, when I was conserving one of
the Byzantine manuscripts I have learnt that some kindle drops on some Bibles
or books of psalms represent a piece of historical evidence and value and it should
not be treated in the conservation process as a drop of stain.
- I agree
to keep any object under conservation covered with special polyester sheets
especially if I am not actually working on it, but this is only from a preventive
conservation point of view, and it is not related to the object being conserved
whether it is a Quran or not.
For the point of using gloves all the time during handling (not only conserving or restoring) Quraan I would like to make this point more clear. Basically, wearing gloves is not recommended during restoring books (you can read my article about this issue), washed clean hands are preferred. However, it is written in the Holy Quran that
"لَّا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ"
There is much English translation for this Quranic verse, I will list some here
"Which none shall touch but those who are clean"
"None shall touch it save the purified ones"
"Which none touched save the purified"
translation source (http://quranopedia.com/quran/56vs79).
It is true that different Muslims may have different interpretations for this verse, some argue that this purity or cleanliness is of the heart. However, the majority of Islamic scholars interpret these verses to also refer to physical cleanliness or purity. Muslims do not pick up the Quran book to read
unless they are ritually pure (washed and clean), for instance after sexual
intercourse, Muslims cannot pray or hold and read the Quran unless they were
ritually clean (washed in a specific way). For sure if non-Muslims can
understand and respect this, it would be appreciated. Otherwise, as a show of
respect to the Quran, wearing gloves
acts as a barrier between the conservator-restorer skin and the book (this is
from the interpretation point of view of those who recommend that the Quran
must not be touched by non-Muslims).
Generally, respect should be given to all
sacred texts not only according to the code of conduct but also according to
its followers' beliefs.
I hope that I made my point clear - as much as I could - Sorry English is not my native language, so I tried to do my best writing this.
The original Post thread link "https://www.facebook.com/groups/814005012033445/permalink/1663006287133309/"
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- The verse translation source (http://quranopedia.com/quran/56vs79).
- Main image credit to (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1348479/Rare-copy-Koran-published-online.html)
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