Answer: It is not permissible to touch the Quran without wuzu. This is also the rule when a person is in the state of major ritual impurity where a compulsory bath is needed. This rule is established from the traditions which have been narrated by Amr bin Hazm (R.A.).

He (Amr bin Hazm R.A.) narrates that the Prophet (S.A.S) wrote to him saying 'No one but the pure ones should touch the Quran.' (Recorded by Malik in his Muwatta Musnad Abdur Razzak).

Imam Tabarani has narrated another tradition in which Abdullah bin Umar (R.A.) states that the Prophet (S.A.W) said, 'No one but the pure should touch the Quran.' (Tabarani).

Based on these traditions, the general body of scholars including the four Imams of Fiqh, namely, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi and Imam Ahmad bin Hambal (R.A) have unanimously declared that 'Taharah (purity) is a condition for touching the Quran'.

This ruling is connected to the Quran which is written fully in the Arabic script. As for that which is an English translation or a combination of both English and Arabic, then it will be permissible to touch them without wuzu, however, it would not be permissible to touch them when one is in a state of major impurities.

And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan