Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Ghusl ka Bayan, vol. 1, p. 95
Can a menstruating woman (ha’idh) or a person in the state of major ritual impurity (junub) hold or touch the Qur’an? Some argue they can, citing hadiths such as:
How do these narrations align with the ruling that a menstruating woman or junub should not touch the Qur’an?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لَا يَمَسُّ الْقُرْآنَ إِلَّا طَاهِرٌ»
"None should touch the Qur’an except one who is pure."
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوا﴾ (al-Ma’idah: 6)
﴿حَتّٰى يَطْهُرْنَ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ﴾ (al-Baqarah: 222)
These texts indicate that a junub and a menstruating woman are not in a state of taharah and therefore should not touch the Qur’an.
The two hadiths refer to permissible contact with non-Qur’anic objects, not the mushaf.
If one insists these narrations prove a junub or menstruating woman is tahir, then:
A menstruating woman or a junub person cannot touch or hold the Qur’an until they have attained ritual purity.
They may touch other items, hand objects to someone, or shake hands.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
Question
Can a menstruating woman (ha’idh) or a person in the state of major ritual impurity (junub) hold or touch the Qur’an? Some argue they can, citing hadiths such as:
- The Prophet ﷺ said to ‘A’ishah (RA) when she hesitated to hand him a mat because of menstruation:
"Your menstruation is not in your hand."
(Sahih Muslim – Kitab al-Hayd)
- Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"A believer is never impure."
(Sahih Muslim, Sahih al-Bukhari)
How do these narrations align with the ruling that a menstruating woman or junub should not touch the Qur’an?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
Primary Evidence
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لَا يَمَسُّ الْقُرْآنَ إِلَّا طَاهِرٌ»
"None should touch the Qur’an except one who is pure."
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوا﴾ (al-Ma’idah: 6)
﴿حَتّٰى يَطْهُرْنَ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ﴾ (al-Baqarah: 222)
These texts indicate that a junub and a menstruating woman are not in a state of taharah and therefore should not touch the Qur’an.
Clarification Regarding the Two Cited Hadiths
- Hadith of ‘A’ishah (RA) – The Prophet ﷺ’s statement "Your menstruation is not in your hand" does not mean that a menstruating woman is in a state of ritual purity. It simply clarifies that the state of menstruation does not physically contaminate her hands, so she may touch ordinary items.
- Hadith of Abu Hurayrah (RA) – The Prophet ﷺ’s statement "A believer is never impure" means that a Muslim’s person and essence are not impure due to major impurity. It does not negate the requirement of ghusl for certain acts of worship.
Important Distinction
- What I stated: A junub or menstruating woman may not touch or hold the Qur’an until purified.
- What I did not state: That they cannot touch any other object or shake hands.
The two hadiths refer to permissible contact with non-Qur’anic objects, not the mushaf.
Logical Consideration
If one insists these narrations prove a junub or menstruating woman is tahir, then:
- Why is ghusl obligatory before performing salah?
- If prayer—which is of utmost importance—requires purification, then touching the Qur’an, which demands even greater reverence, certainly requires it as well.
Conclusion
A menstruating woman or a junub person cannot touch or hold the Qur’an until they have attained ritual purity.
They may touch other items, hand objects to someone, or shake hands.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
