The term “The Holy Qur’an” literally translates into Arabic as “Al-Qur’anul-Muqaddas” (القرآن المقدس). The word “Muqaddas” is derived from the triliteral root qaf-dal-sin (ق-د-س), which conveys meanings of purity, sanctity, and holiness. Nowhere in Al-Qur’an or As-Sunnah can such a description be explicitly found for the Book of Allah.
The closest decription that can be found in the Qur’an is “Mutahharah” (مُطَهَّرَة), which means purified. Allah says in His Book:
فِی صُحُفࣲ مُّكَرَّمَةࣲ﴿ ١٣ ﴾ مَّرۡفُوعَةࣲ مُّطَهَّرَةِۭ﴿ ١٤ ﴾
“In honoured pages. Exalted, purified.” [Al-Qur’an, Surah ‘Abasa, verses 80:13-14]
However, these two verses literally describe the pages, not the Book of Allah itself.
There are four names that occur verbatim in the Qur’an, exactly as worded in the original text (i.e., names in which the word “Qur’an” itself precedes the description), which are deemed appropriate for use when referring to the Qur’an. Allah says in His Book:
(1) Al-Qur’anul-Hakeem (The Wise Qur’an)
وَٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ ٱلۡحَكِیمِ﴿ ٢ ﴾
“By the Qur’an, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs).” [Surah Ya-Seen, 36:2]
(2) Al-Qur’anul-Kareem (The Noble Qur’an)
إِنَّهُۥ لَقُرۡءَانࣱ كَرِیمࣱ﴿ ٧٧ ﴾
“Indeed, it is a Noble Qur’an.” [Surah Al-Waqi‘ah, 56:77]
(3) Al-Qur’anul-Majeed (The Glorious Qur’an)
قۤۚ وَٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ ٱلۡمَجِیدِ﴿ ١ ﴾
“By the Glorious Qur’an.” [Surah Qaf, 50:1]
(4) Al-Qur’anul-‘Adhzeem (The Great Qur’an)
وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَیۡنَـٰكَ سَبۡعࣰا مِّنَ ٱلۡمَثَانِی وَٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ ٱلۡعَظِیمَ﴿ ٨٧ ﴾
“And indeed, We have bestowed upon you seven of Al-Mathaanee (the seven repeatedly recited Verses), (i.e. Surat Al-Fatiha) and the Great Qur’an.” [Surah Al-Hijr, 15:87]
We should not give the Qur’an the title of “the Holy Qur’an” lest we be like the Christians who call their distorted and altered book “the Holy Bible”.
If we are asked whether the Qur’an is a holy book, we reply: yes. Indeed, it is the most deserving of being described as holy and pure, and being regarded as superior to all other books. However, we do not give it the title “the Holy Book” or “the Holy Qur’an”, so as not to imitate the Christians in this regard. Although it may be described as holy or pure, it should be referred to by the names that Allah Himself has given it and with which He has described it.