A Book No One Can Touch Except Purified Ones
Because this book has many benefits for humanity and guides people to the right path, knowing those who can reach its truth is of great importance.
In Surah Al-Waqi’a, God refers to one of the features of the Quran and says reaching its truth is only for a certain group of people. “It is indeed a Glorious Quran, in a Book protected (from tampering), which none shall touch except the purified.” (Verses 77-79 of Surah Al-Waqi’a)
There are two aspects discussed about ‘the purified’ mentioned in this verse:
1- Outward Purity: According to some Hadiths, the phrase “not touch except the purified” means that people must perform Wudu (ablution) before touching the Holy Book’s verses because Wudu brings about the purity of the body and soul and has great positive effects on people’s mind and spirit.
Imam Reza (AS) said: “God has commanded us to perform Wudu and then begin Salah so that the person is pure and obedient to His command and away from uncleanness when he stands to perform the prayers before Him.”
Based on this kind of Hadiths, all people can touch the Quran provided that they have performed Wudu beforehand.
2- Inner purity: This kind of purity is only for certain individuals and does not include all people.
In Verse 33 of Surah Al-Ahzab, God introduces those who are the purified ones: “People of the house, God wants to remove all kinds of uncleanliness from you and to purify you thoroughly.” It has been narrated that one day the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was sleeping with a cloak over him. Hazrat Zahra (SA) entered the house with a dish in her hand. The Prophet (PBUH) told her to call her husband and two sons. When they came and started eating the dish together, this verse was revealed: “People of the house, God wants to remove all kinds of uncleanliness from you and to purify you thoroughly.” The Holy Prophet (PBUH) covered them with the cloak and three times said: “O God! These are my household, remove uncleanness from them and make them pure.”
According to this and other such Hadiths, the AHl-ul-Bayt (AS) or the Household of the Prophet (PBUH) are the 14 Infallibles whom God has made pure. So the Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) are the purified ones who have reached the truth of the Quran and no one except them can reach the truth of the Quran.
