Can I Read Quran on My Period? A Woman’s Guide in Islam  

Can I read Quran on my period? This is a question that concerns many Muslim women seeking to maintain a spiritual connection during menstruation. While Islamic teachings emphasize purity in worship, the guidelines surrounding Quranic recitation during this natural phase vary across scholarly interpretations.

In this guide, we explore the rulings, scholarly opinions, and more, let’s get started.

Can I Read Quran on My Period Silently or Mentally?

One of the most commonly asked questions by Muslim women is, can I read Quran on my period silently or mentally?

This question arises due to the natural biological process of menstruation, during which women are traditionally exempted from certain acts of worship, such as salah (prayer) and fasting. However, when it comes to Quranic recitation, particularly silent or mental recitation, Islamic scholars have explored this issue in depth.

The Scholarly Opinion on Silent or Mental Recitation

While many scholars agree that a menstruating woman should refrain from physically touching the Mus’haf (the Arabic Quran), there is no clear prohibition in the Quran or authentic hadiths that explicitly forbids reading or reciting the Quran silently or mentally during menstruation.

Renowned Islamic jurists from the Hanafi and Maliki schools have allowed women to engage in dhikr (remembrance of Allah), including silently reciting Quranic verses mentally or from memory during their period.

According to these scholars, silent or mental recitation is not considered the same as verbal recitation and does not carry the same rulings.

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No Authentic Hadith Prohibits Mental Recitation

To answer the question, can I read Quran on my period? We should take a look at the hadith used to prohibit it. The commonly cited hadith reported by Ibn Majah, where the Prophet ﷺ is narrated to have said,

“The menstruating woman and the one who is junub (in a state of major ritual impurity) should not recite anything from the Quran”

Has been classified as weak (da‘eef) by several hadith scholars including Imam Nawawi and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani. Thus, it cannot be used as a definitive basis for forbidding mental recitation of the Quran. You could also learn what is Wudu and how to perform it correctly.

Silent Reflection and Spiritual Connection

The Quran states: “So remember Me; I will remember you.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:152)

Silent recitation or mental reflection on the Quran during menstruation allows women to stay spiritually connected without violating any established Islamic rulings. It is a powerful form of dhikr and helps maintain a bond with the Quran even during days when ritual worship is paused.

Scholarly Opinions on Menstruation and Quran

When addressing the question “can I read Quran on my period?”, it is essential to explore the scholarly opinions across the various Islamic schools of thought. Understanding the jurisprudential basis behind these rulings helps Muslim women make informed and confident decisions during their menstruation.

The Hanafi View on Can I Read Quran on My Period

According to the Hanafi school of thought, a menstruating woman should not recite the Quran verbally, whether from memory or by reading from the Mus’haf. However, many Hanafi scholars permit looking at the Quranic text without verbalizing and allow engaging in du’a and dhikr, especially if the du’as contain Quranic verses.

In this view, when asking can I read Quran on my period silently or reflectively, the answer may lean towards permissibility—as long as the words are not uttered aloud. Discover what breaks wudu.

The Maliki Position on Can I Read Quran on My Period

The Maliki madhhab is generally more lenient regarding this issue. According to many Maliki scholars, a menstruating woman may read the Quran from memory or even from the Mus’haf if she is a teacher, student, or doing so for worship or protection.

When asking can I read Quran on my period in a context such as teaching or memorization, the Maliki opinion provides considerable ease and permission.

The Shafi’i and Hanbali Perspectives on Can I Read Quran on My Period

In contrast, both Shafi’i and Hanbali scholars traditionally hold a stricter view. They generally prohibit a menstruating woman from reciting the Quran aloud or from the Mus’haf, unless it is for du’a, dhikr, or in cases of necessity.

Despite this, some contemporary scholars within these schools have begun to reinterpret these rulings, especially in light of the absence of a definitive hadith that forbids Quranic recitation during menstruation.

Thus, modern Shafi’i and Hanbali scholars may respond to can I read Quran on my period with more nuance than classical rulings might suggest.

Contemporary Scholars on Can I Read Quran on My Period

Many contemporary Islamic scholars emphasize that the foundational sources of Islam—the Quran and authentic Sunnah—do not explicitly forbid women from engaging with the Quran during their periods.

Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi and others have noted that the hadith used to prohibit Quran recitation during menstruation is weak and should not form the basis of a strict legal ruling. Hence, many modern scholars answer can I read Quran on my period with a balanced approach that encourages spiritual continuity while respecting cleanliness and reverence.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the answer to can I read Quran on my period silently or mentally? is yes—many scholars have permitted it, especially if it is done from memory or mentally without verbal articulation. There is no authentic text from the Quran or Sunnah that explicitly prohibits silent or mental Quranic recitation for menstruating women.

This understanding offers a compassionate and spiritually inclusive approach, allowing women to maintain their connection with the words of Allah throughout all phases of life.

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FAQs

Can I touch the Quran on my period?

Most scholars say no, but using a barrier (like gloves or a digital device) is often considered permissible.

Can I listen to Quran on my period?

Yes, listening to Quran recitation is allowed and encouraged during menstruation.

Can I read Quran on my period from a phone or app?

Yes, reading from a digital device without touching the actual Mus’haf is widely considered permissible.