Asslamualykum Respectable Imam I want to share an important issue regarding Holy Quran's respect. Actually I'm a student in Sweden and studying Masters Degree Programme in Environmental Science here. During one class lecture few days ago our class teacher commented on Holy Quran , which i think might be considered carefully and should be evaluated for action. i am quoting her words as she said One of my class fellow from Iran was an presenting article regarding environment. he is from Iran and he said: this article which I'm presenting , i think is old ( not from latest years such as 2006-2009). Our teacher replied: "Quran is old too" her comments were so surprising to me and other class fellows. I kept silent and just want to know in which category it lies regarding respect of Holy Quran and how should we act if some comments like this again. I shall be thankful for your answer. May Allah almighty Bless you Akmal

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

We do not know what this woman means by her statement that “Quran is old too” but it appears that she means that the Quran does not go along with the contemporary issues. If this is the case, then this is a false and objectionable statement. That is because the Quran is the Book of Allaah by which He addressed the entire humanity until the Day of Judgment without being restricted to a particular time or place.

No doubt, the Quran was revealed when the humanity reached the age of mental maturity, so it came as an open book addressing the minds of all the people and not only at the time it was revealed; rather, it extends to (people at) all times, and it did not come with anything that holds back humanity, but it came with what promotes the human mind in all walks of life.

Even the Christian scholars themselves admits this: Ivor Elouis – a former priest who embraced Islam – said: “It might be that what caught my attention and attracted me to Islam is that it is a comprehensive religion that tackles many aspects of the life of the individual and the society, and it balances between this life and the Hereafter, and it presents to the humanity economic, social and psychological projects of reform.”

Therefore, the one who acts upon the Quran will be successful in this life and in the Hereafter. Professor Irving, a lecturer at Tennessee University, USA, said when addressing the Muslims: “Learn the religion of Islam and practise it, and convey it to other people, if you do so, this world will be opened to you, and every ruler will come down to you. Give me forty young men who deeply understand this religion and practise it in their daily life very precisely, and they present it in a good manner to the people in the language and style of the present day, and I will open the two Americas with them.” This statement is quoted from him by Phd Zaghlool An-Najaar in his book ‘Reason for Scientific and Technical Backwardness in Contemporary Muslim world.”

In fact, there are many statements of Islam’s enemies – let alone its friends – that show the importance of the Quran and that it is the source of happiness for humanity throughout centuries; but many people do not know this.

Therefore, if this woman says the same thing again, and she intends that wrong meaning which we mentioned, then it is not permissible for a Muslim to stay in a place where the Book of Allaah is mocked at; rather, he is obligated to leave it. Allaah Says (what means): {And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.}[Quran 6:68]

It should be noted that it is very wrong for the young Muslims to hurry to study in some non-Muslim countries and in specialties that could be available in Muslim countries. It might be that one does not have enough religious knowledge to refute some misconceptions that might be presented to him, so these misconceptions may affect his heart and this will lead him to doubt his religion and apostate from Islam.

Therefore, we advise the young Muslims to study in Muslim countries as much as possible to be safe than sorry.

Allaah Knows best.