Hafiza reading Quran during period

Question:

My daughter has started to memorize the Quran and her aim is to insha'Allah memorize the whole Quran. During days of Haid, will she be able to read the Quran to maintain her Hifdh?

Answer: ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful A person in the state of janaba or menstruation cannot recite the Quran with the intention of tilawat (recitation). However, they may recite the Quran with the intention of dua or praising/glorifying Allah (s.w.t.). Another valid intention would be to recite with the intention of starting something, e.g., reciting Bismillah before eating/drinking. Nevertheless, this does not mean that a person who is experiencing the above-mentioned condition could unrestrictedly recite any portion of the Quran by merely changing their intention without taking into consideration the meaning of the verse. On the basis thereof, the verse that they intend to recite by way of supplication/praise must comprise the meaning of dua or praise. For example, if one menstruating or in the state of janaba recite Surah Fatiha by way of making dua and not with the intention of recitation, it would be permissible because it has the meaning of dua therein. Also, reciting Surah Al-Falaq and Surah Al-Nas for the sake of protection and with the intention of dua is permissible. Furthermore, it is permissible to recite Ayatul Kursi with the intention of praising Allah (SWT) because it contains the meanings of praise. On the other hand, if such a person recites Surah Abi Lahab with the intention of dua or praise, it would not be permissible because this Surah does not contain the meaning of dua nor praise therein. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Verily, actions are based on intentions.” (Bukhari: Hadith 1) According to what you have mentioned, your daughter is reciting for the sake of memorization, hence that would be considered her intention. Alternatively, if a menstruating student or teacher wants to learn or teach the Quran, she may recite one word at a time, pausing after every word, instead of reciting in a continuous manner. With respect to the Hafiza who is menstruating, and she fears that she would become weak in her memorization should she not review due to menstruation, then for the sake of revision, she may hold the Quran using a cloth that is detached from her body, turn the pages using an object, e.g., a pen, and read in her mind without moving her lips. In addition, she may listen to someone else recite the Quran, e.g., a friend, family member, or an audio recording.

Raddul Muhtar: v. 1, p. 487-488 (Maktaba Imdadia); Tabyeenul Haqaaiq: v. 1, p. 57 (Al-Matba’ah Al-Kubra Al-Ameeria-Bolaq); Fatawa Darul Uloom Zakariya, v. 1, p. 745-747 (Zamzam); Fatawa Raheemia: v. 4, p. 49-50 (Darul Isha’at); Mahmudul Fatawa: v. 2, p. 264-265 (Maktaba Mahmudia)

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham