None can grasp it except the sincere (56:79)

The Quran informs us that it is inaccessible to those who are not sincere.

[56:75] I swear by the positions of the stars.
[56:76] This is an oath, if you only knew, that is awesome.
[56:77] This is an honorable Quran.
[56:78] In a protected book.
[56:79] None can grasp it except the sincere.
[56:80] A revelation from the Lord of the universe.

(٧٥) فَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَاقِعِ النُّجُومِ
(٧٦) وَإِنَّهُ لَقَسَمٌ لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عَظِيمٌ
(٧٧) إِنَّهُ لَقُرْآنٌ كَرِيمٌ
(٧٨) فِي كِتَابٍ مَكْنُونٍ
(٧٩) لَا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ
(٨٠) تَنْزِيلٌ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Ironically, most traditional Muslims understand that this verse indicates that a person is not permitted to touch the Quran unless they are physically clean. For men, this constitutes potentially bathing and performing ablution, and for women, it prohibits them from touching the Quran if they are in their menses.

This means that according to the traditionalist understanding, women cannot touch the Quran for roughly a quarter of their adult life. This understanding is both ignorant and satanic. Before getting into the meaning of muṭaharūna in the context of this verse, let’s first examine how this verse does not constitute any form of physical cleanliness.

Statement of Fact, Not a Command

The first reason this understanding cannot be correct is that the phrase “لَا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ” is constructed in Arabic as a statement of fact, rather than a command. This is evident from its linguistic structure, which does not include any imperative verbs or forms associated with issuing commands. Instead, it is phrased descriptively: “None can touch it except the muṭaharūna.” The verb “يَمَسُّهُ” (touch it) is in the present tense and is combined with “لَا”, which typically negates in a factual, declarative way. This suggests a description of a condition—that only those who are muṭaharūna can touch it—rather than instructing or commanding a specific behavior.

Since this is not a command that one needs to perform a physical bathing ritual before touching the pages of the written Quran, it indicates that this is a statement of fact. Therefore, if no one can touch the pages of the written Quran unless they are muṭaharūna, then this word cannot mean any form of ritual bathing in the physical sense. To prove this, just have someone who is ritually impure touch the pages of the Quran. If they are not struck down by lightning or burst into dust, then this cannot be the meaning of this verse.

Meaning of Muṭaharūna

The Arabic word translated in 56:79 as sincere is “l-muṭaharūna” ( ٱلْمُطَهَّرُونَ ). This comes from the root “ta-ha-ra” ( ط ه ر ), which occurs 31 times in the Quran and has the following derivative meanings.

to be pure; clean; chaste; righteous; free from impurity; remove

While this word can signify physical cleanliness, it also can mean being spiritually pure (see 2:129, 2:151, 2:174, 3:38, 3:55, 5:41). As shown above, 56:79 is not a command and has nothing to do with physical cleanliness, as even the physically unclean can touch the pages of the Quran. This verse refers to those who are spiritually pure. A spiritually pure person acts sincerely and honestly, embodying a genuine spirit without ulterior motives.

The Ideal Translation

All translations of the Quran inevitably involve a degree of exegesis—the interpreter’s own understanding and interpretation of the text. This is because the Quran, like many religious texts, contains linguistic, cultural, and historical nuances that do not always have direct equivalents in other languages.

Translators must navigate complex layers of meaning, idiomatic expressions, and context-specific references that require more than a literal word-for-word conversion. For example, Arabic words often carry multiple connotations that may shift based on context, and certain terms within the Quran carry rich theological significance that transcends simple translation.

Therefore, translators must make interpretive choices, deciding which meanings to prioritize and how best to convey the intended message. In doing so, they engage in a form of tafsir, as each translation inevitably reflects the translator’s understanding, beliefs, and scholarly perspective. Moreover, the structure of Arabic—a root-based language that allows for nuanced and layered meanings within a single term—demands trade-offs in translation, as no single target language can capture every dimension. Consequently, each translation not only brings the Quran’s message to a new audience but also subtly reshapes it, highlighting particular meanings or interpretations, thus making translation an inextricable blend of language conversion and theological exegesis.

Translating verse 56:79 requires a delicate balance between accurately conveying the original text and capturing the essence of its message. First, the translation must clearly convey that this phrase is a statement of fact rather than a command. Using words like “can” or “shall” in translation might imply an imperative, suggesting that the verse is instructing specific behavior, which can mislead the reader about its intended meaning.

Second, the term “touch,” commonly used in translations, may evoke a strong sense of physical contact. However, this verse isn’t referring to a physical interaction with the Quran but rather to a deeper, spiritual connection. Therefore, a literal interpretation could obscure the verse’s emphasis on understanding or grasping the Quran’s essence.

Lastly, this verse alludes not to physical cleanliness but to spiritual purity—a quality of inner sincerity and piety. Translators who attempt to clarify this by adding terms like “spiritually pure” may face criticisms about where “spiritual” appears in the Arabic text, sparking further questions about the nature and attainment of spiritual purity.

A translation like Dr. Rashad Khalifa’s, which renders it as “None can grasp it except the sincere,” captures both the factual nature of the statement and the emphasis on sincerity over physical purity. This approach reduces ambiguity, guiding readers to reflect on the sincerity needed to comprehend the Quran’s deeper meanings, aligning the translation with both the spirit of the text and its practical application.