Question Summary:
Placing verses in a storybook which could be sold to non-Muslims?

Question Detail:

Is it permissible to add in verses of quran in a story book? This is not entirely an Islamic book and is open for non muslims to purchase. The verses will be in English.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Whilst the Qur’ān is a means of guidance for the entire humanity and non-Muslims too may benefit from its verses and teachings, maintaining the respect of the Qur’ān is equally necessary. Hence, one should avoid any such scenario, which jeopardises the respect of the Qur’ān. One can only allow a non-Muslim access to the verses of the Qur’ān if he is certain that they will be respected and revered.[1]
As such, it would be in appropriate to add verses of the Qur’ān, whether in Arabic or English,[2] in a storybook that is meant for a general readership, due to the high possibility of it leading to disrespect.[3]
As an alternative we suggest that the general understanding (Mafhoom) of the verses of the Qur’ān and the message contained in them be presented in the book rather than quoting the Qur’ān or its translation verbatim.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Nabeel Valli
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net