Muslim scholars are unanimous that it is obligatory to protect and respect the Mushafs. This consensus has been related by Imam An-Nawawi in his Al-Majmū`. According to the authentic hadith, the Prophet said: “Religion is sincerity, religion is sincerity (Al-Nasihah), religion is sincerity.” They said; “To whom, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the imams of the Muslims and to their common folk.” Naseehah towards the Book of Allah includes not putting it in places where it will be treated with disrespect, or where putting it there seems disrespectful, such as putting it close to garbage or at dirty places.

 

As for putting the Qur’an on clean ground, there is nothing wrong with that, because this is not disrespecting the Qur’an or mistreating it. It often happens that a person is praying or reading from the Mushaf during prayer and he wants to prostrate, he puts it down in front of him. This is not regarded as disrespect or mistreatment of the Mushaf, so there is nothing wrong with it. But if such an act is done in a culture or in a way which regards such an act as disrespectful, one must not do that.