Source: Fatawa Ilmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam)
Is it permissible to read the Qur’an without performing wudu or ghusl?
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz رحمه الله was asked a similar question and replied:
✿ According to the majority of scholars, it is not permissible for a Muslim to touch the Qur’an without wudu.
✿ This is also the position of the four Imams — Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam al-Shafi‘i, and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمهم الله.
✿ The Companions رضي الله عنهم also acted upon this ruling.
From an authentic narration, ‘Amr ibn Hazm رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ wrote to the people of Yemen:
"No one should touch the Qur’an except a pure person."
This hadith is jayyid (sound) with multiple chains of narration that strengthen it.
✿ Whether in a state of minor impurity (hadath asghar, such as breaking wudu) or major impurity (hadath akbar, such as janabah), it is not permissible to touch the Qur’an.
✿ It is also not allowed to move the Qur’an from one place to another without wudu.
✿ Holding the Qur’an through something else — such as a cover, wrapper, or bag — is permissible.
✿ Direct contact with the Qur’an without wudu is not permissible, according to the correct view of the majority of scholars.
✿ If someone has memorized the Qur’an, he may recite it verbally without wudu, provided he is not in a state of janabah.
✿ Similarly, one who is correcting someone’s recitation may touch the Qur’an for that purpose if purified.
✿ A person in a state of janabah (obliged to perform ghusl) may not recite the Qur’an, even verbally.
✿ It is authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ would recite the Qur’an in every condition except in the state of janabah.
Sayyiduna ‘Ali رضي الله عنه said:
"The Prophet ﷺ came out of the toilet and recited some of the Qur’an."
He clarified that this ruling applies to those not in janabah; a person in janabah may not recite even a single verse until purified.
This hadith is narrated by Imam Ahmad رحمه الله with a sound chain.
✿ A person in janabah may neither look at the Qur’an and recite from it nor recite it verbally before performing ghusl.
✿ Without wudu, if one is not in janabah, verbal recitation is permissible, but touching the Qur’an directly is not allowed.
Fatawa Ibn Baz (Vol. 10, p. 150)
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
Question
Is it permissible to read the Qur’an without performing wudu or ghusl?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz رحمه الله was asked a similar question and replied:
Touching the Qur’an Without Wudu
✿ According to the majority of scholars, it is not permissible for a Muslim to touch the Qur’an without wudu.
✿ This is also the position of the four Imams — Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam al-Shafi‘i, and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمهم الله.
✿ The Companions رضي الله عنهم also acted upon this ruling.
Evidence from Hadith
From an authentic narration, ‘Amr ibn Hazm رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ wrote to the people of Yemen:
"No one should touch the Qur’an except a pure person."
This hadith is jayyid (sound) with multiple chains of narration that strengthen it.
In the State of Minor or Major Impurity
✿ Whether in a state of minor impurity (hadath asghar, such as breaking wudu) or major impurity (hadath akbar, such as janabah), it is not permissible to touch the Qur’an.
✿ It is also not allowed to move the Qur’an from one place to another without wudu.
Indirectly Holding the Qur’an
✿ Holding the Qur’an through something else — such as a cover, wrapper, or bag — is permissible.
✿ Direct contact with the Qur’an without wudu is not permissible, according to the correct view of the majority of scholars.
Reciting the Qur’an Without Wudu
✿ If someone has memorized the Qur’an, he may recite it verbally without wudu, provided he is not in a state of janabah.
✿ Similarly, one who is correcting someone’s recitation may touch the Qur’an for that purpose if purified.
Reciting in the State of Janabah
✿ A person in a state of janabah (obliged to perform ghusl) may not recite the Qur’an, even verbally.
✿ It is authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ would recite the Qur’an in every condition except in the state of janabah.
Sayyiduna ‘Ali رضي الله عنه said:
"The Prophet ﷺ came out of the toilet and recited some of the Qur’an."
He clarified that this ruling applies to those not in janabah; a person in janabah may not recite even a single verse until purified.
This hadith is narrated by Imam Ahmad رحمه الله with a sound chain.
Summary
✿ A person in janabah may neither look at the Qur’an and recite from it nor recite it verbally before performing ghusl.
✿ Without wudu, if one is not in janabah, verbal recitation is permissible, but touching the Qur’an directly is not allowed.
Fatawa Ibn Baz (Vol. 10, p. 150)
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
