Reverence for the Qur’an despite Its Mention of Creatures

Question

Zayd is the imam of a mosque. He says, “In the Word of Allah there is talk of creatures; therefore it is not deserving of reverence in the way Allah the Pure is deserving of it; reverence for it cannot be reverence for Allah the Pure.” Bakr replied, “The Noble Qur’an is something to be accepted and a sublime thing; it is the Word of Allah Most High, and reverence for it is reverence for Allah the Pure.” Which of the two is right?

Answer

In the noble Word of Allah there is indeed mention of creatures — indeed, mention of the basest of creatures and of things impure in their very essence; and yet it is the Word of Allah, its veneration is obligatory, and with its insult iman does not remain intact. The imam must repent of such talk; otherwise he will not be fit for the imamate.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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