The Qur’an & Menstruation

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: What are the rulings related to the Quran and a woman in the state of menstruation?

Answer: Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

1. It is permitted for women to read Qur’anic verses for protection, dua, and the intention of dhikr, even if out loud. However, it would not be permitted with the intention of Qur’anic recitation itself.

2. It is permitted to look at the Qur’an, and to touch it with a barrier (e.g. a cloth one is not wearing). It is permitted to read the Qur’an, with the intention of Qur’anic reading itself, without pronouncing the words, without actually reciting it.

3. It is recommended in the Hanafi school for women in their periods to sit making dhikr in the place they normally pray, in order to keep up their good habits.

4. It is not disliked for women in their periods to recite litanies (ahzab, sing: hizb) of supplications, such as those of Imam Shadhili, Imam Haddad, Imam Nawawi, and others. It is permitted to recite even the Qur’anic verses in these litanies, with the intention of dhikr or dua.

5. It is highly praiseworthy to listen to the Qur’an, even recorded. There is great benefit if this is from the recitation of a master, such as Hussary. Good recordings of his are commonly available on the Net.

Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani