Mushaf

In juristic usage the muṣḥaf is the Qur'anic text written and bound between two covers; the Kuwaiti Fiqh Encyclopedia defines it as "the name for the written Qur'an gathered between two covers and a binding, while 'Qur'an' names what was revealed" ¹. The Qur'an itself is tied in transmission to what was conveyed between the covers by tawātur, since the Companions were so strict in transmitting it that they disliked vocalization marks and dots lest it be confused with anything else ².

The muṣḥaf carries a sanctity across many legal chapters: touching it while ritually impure is a point of dispute among the schools, as is carrying it by its strap or in its wrapper ³. Scholars disagreed over kissing it, and the Hanbalis were expansive in forbidding its being sent into enemy territory for fear it be demeaned ⁴. When a muṣḥaf wears out and can no longer be read, the authorities cited by the encyclopedia say "it is not burned in fire" ⁵. Historically this reverence shows in Uthman's gathering of the codices and the burning of all but the imam's copy ⁶.

• Text from the harvested Kuwaiti Fiqh Encyclopedia (Noor-Book scan): the "muṣḥaf" entry around pp. 14567–14585, plus "Qur'an" (its characteristics and writing in the codices) pp. 12678–12679. Reading from the muṣḥaf during prayer, kissing it and carrying it are legal branches the encyclopedia details school by school; this page stays introductory.