Reciting Quran during menses

Question:

Respected Ulama', I have some questions regarding reading the Qur'an with the intention of tilawat. What other intentions can someone reading the Qur'an make other than tilawat? Can someone in janabat read the whole of Sura Mulk and other Suras with the intention of ma'moolat? Can a woman in menstruation learn to read Qur'an or learn dor for hifz with the intention of zikr or du'a? 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. Solely having the intention of m’amoolat is not sufficient, hence kindly bear in mind the above-mentioned principles.

The Prophet (SAW) said, “Verily, actions are based on intentions.” (Bukhari: Hadith 1) According to what you have mentioned, the menstruating woman is reciting to learn the Quran or to review, hence that would be considered her intention. We cannot use the ruling of intending dhikr or dua as a loophole. 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