Quoting a verse of Qur’aan as a proverb

We hear many people using Qur’aanic verses as proverbs and the like, such as the verses (interpretation of the meaning): “Which will neither nourish nor avail against hunger” [al-Ghaashiyah 88:7] and “Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again” [Ta-Ha 20:55]. That includes Qur’aanic verses which cannot be uttered except for beneficial purposes, not for mockery and making fun, as it is commonly quoted by some people, either verbally or in writing. Is that permissible or not?.

Praise be to Allaah.

There is nothing wrong with quoting Qur’aanic verses as proverbs, if that is for a valid purpose, such as saying This is something that “will neither nourish nor avail against hunger” or saying “Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again”, if one wants to remind people of their relationship with the earth, from which they were created and to which they will return. If quoting Qur’aan as a proverb is not intended by way of mockery and making fun, there is nothing wrong with it. But if it is done by way of mockery and making fun, as the questioner mentions, then this is regarded as apostasy from Islam, because the one who makes fun of the Qur’aan or of any mention of Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, has apostatized from Islam, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Say: “Was it at Allaah ( عز و جل ), and His Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) that you were mocking?”

66. Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed”

[al-Tawbah 9:65-66] 

It is essential to venerate and respect the Qur’aan, but that does not mean that one cannot quote it as a proverb in a proper and respectful manner. There is nothing wrong with that, but using it by way of mockery and making fun is apostasy from Islam. And Allaah knows best.