Ruling on Placing Qur'ans Behind the Rows
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
He also says: In some mosques, we see cabinets that hold Qur'ans, open from the front and the back. This causes the Qur'ans to be behind some of the rows when the prayer is called. Is that permissible, or must they be closed off against one of the sides, specifically the side facing the backs of the worshippers?
Answer:
The matter in this case appears to be broad; because they did not intend to turn their backs to them, but rather they were placed so that Muslims may benefit from them. So the matter in this is broad. However, if they were placed in the front of the mosque, in front of the worshippers, that would be more preferable and better, further from this matter, and further from resembling those who turn their backs in contempt or disdain.
So in any case, their presence in the front of the mosque, or on the sides of the mosque to the right and left, is more sound and preferable, and further from this thing that the questioner suspected. The worshippers did not intend to despise them, nor to be disdainful of them, but this is how they were placed in some mosques.
So it is recommended that in the mosque where they are placed like this, they be placed in the front, or on the side of the worshipper, to his right or left, on the sides of the mosque. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you. These are placed in large congregational mosques, and it is impossible for the worshipper to take the Qur'an from the cabinet if it is far away, for example. So they place it behind, between the rows, so that it is accessible.
The Shaykh: Between the pillars, you mean?
The presenter: Between the pillars, yes.
The Shaykh: We do not know of anything in this matter, if Allah wills; because it is not intended. Disdain is not intended; rather, the intention is to facilitate things for the readers so that they do not step over people and harm people. So the matter in this is broad, if Allah wills. Yes.
The presenter: And the questioner, Abdulaziz, says in his letter, which is long, as we mentioned, he says: Why are they not covered on the side facing the backs of the worshippers?
The Shaykh: For the sake of facilitation. Whoever comes here takes one, and whoever comes here takes one. This is the intention: facilitation. Having them open from here and from here is to facilitate things for the readers. The one who comes from the front takes one, and the one who comes from the back takes one, so that taking the Qur'an is easy from here and from here. This is the intention. And placing a barrier does not prevent turning one's back. If a barrier were placed, turning one's back would still occur. I say: if one side were closed off, it would not prevent turning one's back. Turning one's back would still occur. Yes.
He also says: In some mosques, we see cabinets that hold Qur'ans, open from the front and the back. This causes the Qur'ans to be behind some of the rows when the prayer is called. Is that permissible, or must they be closed off against one of the sides, specifically the side facing the backs of the worshippers?
Answer:
The matter in this case appears to be broad; because they did not intend to turn their backs to them, but rather they were placed so that Muslims may benefit from them. So the matter in this is broad. However, if they were placed in the front of the mosque, in front of the worshippers, that would be more preferable and better, further from this matter, and further from resembling those who turn their backs in contempt or disdain.
So in any case, their presence in the front of the mosque, or on the sides of the mosque to the right and left, is more sound and preferable, and further from this thing that the questioner suspected. The worshippers did not intend to despise them, nor to be disdainful of them, but this is how they were placed in some mosques.
So it is recommended that in the mosque where they are placed like this, they be placed in the front, or on the side of the worshipper, to his right or left, on the sides of the mosque. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you. These are placed in large congregational mosques, and it is impossible for the worshipper to take the Qur'an from the cabinet if it is far away, for example. So they place it behind, between the rows, so that it is accessible.
The Shaykh: Between the pillars, you mean?
The presenter: Between the pillars, yes.
The Shaykh: We do not know of anything in this matter, if Allah wills; because it is not intended. Disdain is not intended; rather, the intention is to facilitate things for the readers so that they do not step over people and harm people. So the matter in this is broad, if Allah wills. Yes.
The presenter: And the questioner, Abdulaziz, says in his letter, which is long, as we mentioned, he says: Why are they not covered on the side facing the backs of the worshippers?
The Shaykh: For the sake of facilitation. Whoever comes here takes one, and whoever comes here takes one. This is the intention: facilitation. Having them open from here and from here is to facilitate things for the readers. The one who comes from the front takes one, and the one who comes from the back takes one, so that taking the Qur'an is easy from here and from here. This is the intention. And placing a barrier does not prevent turning one's back. If a barrier were placed, turning one's back would still occur. I say: if one side were closed off, it would not prevent turning one's back. Turning one's back would still occur. Yes.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.