Can a menstruating woman recite the Holy Qur’an?
According to the Hanafi, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools, a woman who menstruates or is in postnatal period cannot recite the holy Qur’an, just like those who are junub. Because the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “The menstruating woman does not recite – nor the Junub – anything from the Qur’an.” (Tirmidhi, Taharah, 98; Ibn Majah, Taharah, 105). Also, Ali (ra) said “Nothing except being junub used to withhold the Messenger of Allah from reciting Qur’an.” (Abu Dawud, Taharah, 92; Nasa’i, Taharah, 175; Ibn Majah, Taharah, 105; Ibn Khuzaymah, Sahih, I, 104; Bayhaqi, Sunan al-Kubra, Taharah, 98). According to a narrative with different wording, Ali (ra) said, “Allah’s Messenger would recite the Qur’an in all conditions, as long as he was not Junub.” (Tirmidhi, Taharah, 111).
Besides this general approach, there are some detailed ijtihads within the mentioned three schools. Hanafis and Shafi’is said that one may recite the verses consisting of the meaning of dua for the purpose of making dua and dhikr; Shafi’is said that one may follow the Qur’an only with her eyes without moving her tongue and pronouncing the words; and Hanbalis told that one may recite some dhikrs such as Basmalah, hamdalah, etc. without the intention to recite the Qur’an (Sarakhsi, al-Mabsut, III, 152; Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni, I, 199-200; Shirbini, Mughni al-Muhtaj, I, 120-121, 172).
There are two opinions in the Maliki school regarding this issue. (Ibn al-Jallab, at-Tafri‘, I, 206; Qarafi, az-Zahira, I, 379). Some later Malikis preferred the ijtihad which allows women in menstruation period to touch the Holy Qur’an and recite it for educational purposes, out of these two opinions (Dasuqi, Hashiyah, I, 174; Azhari, Jawahir, I, 32; Ulaysh, Sharhu Minah, I, 175).
Today, one may practice according to the opinion of Maliki school in order to ensure uninterrupted Qur’an education. However, as there are very different ways and methods to teach Qur’an, the method of teaching Qur’an to the women in such periods by giving them education through listening to those who recite it or listening it from CD, DVD, or cassette, and by focusing on the proper recitation of the letters of the Qur’an by dividing verses into words is one of the methods that can be applied. This method may be safer in order to avoid conflict if possible.
Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWAS
Can A Menstruating Woman Touch The Holy Qur’an?
