[nazru]

Assalamu alaikum

[AbuBakr_Fin]

Yes you must have tahara (ritual state of purity) to touch the Book of Allaah. It is a part of Islam. When `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab -rA`a- wasn`t a muslim yet and he was coming to kill the Messenger of Allaah -saaws- he was told in the way that even his own sister and her husband have already entered Islam. Then he went there and started beating them -may Allaah be pleased with them. When blood was flowing from the face of his sister, she told him he can even kill them, but they will never leave Islam. Then `Umar saw a piece of Quran written down and asked to see it. His sister told him it is prohibited for him to touch due to him being impure. `Umar made qhusl, read it, recognized it as Words of His Lord, and came to accept Islam. Allaahu akbar.
Allaah also said in Suurat Al-Waaqi`ah "79.Laa jamassuhuu illa al-mutahharuun, 80.Tanziilun min Rabbi al-`aalamiin, 81.afabihaathaa al-Hadiithi antum mudhinuun!"" , meaning: "Which none shall touch but those who are clean: A Revelation from The Lord of the worlds. Is it such a Message that you hold in light esteem?"