Belief & Theology

Is it permissible to carry a small Quran in your wallet or car for protection and blessings?

Yasir Qadhi • August 21, 2019 • Watch on YouTube

quranbarakamushaftamimaamulet

Quick Answer

Keeping a physical copy of the Quran for blessings is not haram and not shirk, as the Quran is the speech of Allah. However, Yasir Qadhi personally leans toward it being better to recite the Quran actively rather than passively storing it — especially since a mushaf kept in a glove compartment often ends up disrespected. The opinion of some Companions permitted it, so it cannot be condemned.

Full Lecture Transcript (Cleaned)

The Question — 0:14

Is it permissible to keep a small Quran in your wallet or car for the purposes of baraka? A questioner also asks: isn't this similar to what other religions have done with their holy icons?

Yasir Qadhi's Response

The answer goes back to a theological issue: can you use the Quran as a tameema — a good-luck charm or physical source of blessing?

By unanimous consensus, you can use the recitation of the Quran for baraka. There is no ikhtilaf there. The controversy from the time of the Companions is about using a physically written Quran — whether a verse written on paper can be used as a source of protection.

Some of the Companions permitted this:

Aisha (RA) — it is authentically reported that she had Quranic verses placed around children of her extended family when they were sick.
Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) — narrated that he would allow the Quran to be placed on children as protection, citing the verse that the Quran is a shifa whether recited or physically written.

Others disapproved:

Abdullah ibn Masud (RA) — said it is not befitting the Quran to be worn as protection.

So this is a legitimate classical disagreement that goes back to the Companions themselves.

Why It Is Not Shirk

Turning to the Quran — whether recited or physically present — is turning to the speech of Allah. You are not turning to something other than Allah. The Quran is a revered book because it contains the speech of Allah. So it is not shirk to seek blessing from it.

Yasir Qadhi's Personal Opinion

He personally leans toward Ibn Masud's position — that it is better not to use the mushaf as passive protection. His reasons:

Recitation is superior: Reciting the Quran, moving your tongue, is an act of worship. Passively storing the mushaf is not an act of worship. Saying SubhanAllah safar annahatha when starting your car is a higher level of engagement.

Practical respect: When you put a mushaf in the glove compartment, it typically ends up buried under tire-pressure gauges, pens, and receipts. Is that showing the Quran the respect it deserves?

However, he will not criticize those who do keep the mushaf. It is clearly not haram — who is on the other side? Aisha (RA) and Abdullah ibn Amr (RA). You cannot rebuke them.