Exegesis of the saying of Allah the Exalted: “None touches it except the purified”

Question:
What is meant by the saying of the Exalted, "None touches it except the purified" ? Does "the purified" refer to the one who is pure from ritual impurity, or does it refer to the Muslim?

Answer:
The correct view is that the "purified ones" referred to here are the angels, and that the "hidden Book" refers to the Preserved Tablet. It is indeed a noble Qur'an in a hidden Book, meaning the Preserved Tablet, which none touch except the purified ones, meaning the angels. This is the correct view.
However, Ibn al-Qayyim says that this indicates by implication that if this description applies to the angels, it implies by its indication that human beings are likewise not to touch it except in a state of purity. There is an explicit text from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding this, as in the hadith of 'Amr ibn Hazm, where he said, "None touches the mushaf except one who is in a state of purity." Thus, the Sunnah indicates that it is not permissible for one in a state of ritual impurity to touch the mushaf. The Sunnah has indicated this, but did the Qur'an indicate it? This is the point of discussion: "None touch it except the purified ones."