Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Ghusl ka Bayan, vol. 1, p. 96
It is known that a menstruating woman is not allowed to recite the Qur’an. However, in madrasah settings, both students and teachers need to continue their studies.
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
It is not permissible for a menstruating woman to touch or hold the Qur’an, as the hadith states:
«أَنْ لا يَمَسَّ القُرْآنَ إِلَّا طَاهِرٌ»
"No one should touch the Qur’an except in a state of purity."
This clearly indicates that only a pure person (tahir) may handle the Qur’an.
❀ Oral recitation – She may recite the Qur’an from memory without physically touching the mushaf.
❀ Listening to Qur’an – She may listen when someone else recites.
❀ Participating in lessons from a distance – Teachers and students in the state of menstruation may take part in Qur’an or Hadith classes without touching the actual mushaf—they may read from memory or from devices, or from books placed at a distance without direct contact.
The narrations that prohibit menstruating women from reciting the Qur’an are not strong enough to prove an absolute ban. Hence, there is no decisive evidence of complete prohibition of oral recitation in this state.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
Question
It is known that a menstruating woman is not allowed to recite the Qur’an. However, in madrasah settings, both students and teachers need to continue their studies.
- Can such a woman listen to the Qur’an?
- Can she read aloud from a distance without touching the Qur’an or Hadith books?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
Ruling on Touching the Qur’an
It is not permissible for a menstruating woman to touch or hold the Qur’an, as the hadith states:
«أَنْ لا يَمَسَّ القُرْآنَ إِلَّا طَاهِرٌ»
"No one should touch the Qur’an except in a state of purity."
This clearly indicates that only a pure person (tahir) may handle the Qur’an.
What Is Permissible for a Menstruating Woman
❀ Oral recitation – She may recite the Qur’an from memory without physically touching the mushaf.
❀ Listening to Qur’an – She may listen when someone else recites.
❀ Participating in lessons from a distance – Teachers and students in the state of menstruation may take part in Qur’an or Hadith classes without touching the actual mushaf—they may read from memory or from devices, or from books placed at a distance without direct contact.
Note on Hadith Evidence
The narrations that prohibit menstruating women from reciting the Qur’an are not strong enough to prove an absolute ban. Hence, there is no decisive evidence of complete prohibition of oral recitation in this state.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
