Question

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

We have recently started a Hifdh class for girls. Alhamdulillah, we have had great interest and have many students who have joined.

The issue we are facing is that when the students are on their menstruation, according to everything we have studied, it has always been the teaching that reciting the Quraan is not permissible during those days.

We wanted to ask if this a hard and fast ruling. As in, are there any exemptions?
We are aware of difference of opinions of the Ulama, with some giving the permissibility to just read without touching in such a state.
Is this an opinion we can take?

Asking the girls not to recite or go over their Hifdh for 7 to 10 days causes alot of nuqsaan in their progress. It leads to them forgetting the previously memorised portions and then, once pure, they just about get back on track with learning when the same issue rises again.

We would really appreciate a fatwa on the matter.

Jazakumullah khayr

Answer

In the Hanafi school it is not permitted for a woman to touch or recite the Qur’an whilst in the state of menstruation. The only exception is when a du’a or praise of Allah from the Qur’an is recited such as ayat al-kursi. If it is read as a du’a or stated as a praise of Allah, and not recited as a verse of the Qur’an, it will be permissible even if in the state of menstruation.

As for students wishing to memorise the Qur’an the same rule would apply. It would not be permissible for them to touch or recite the Qur’an during menstruation. It would, however, be permissible for them to listen to the Qur’an and look at the Qur’an.

We understand that having a regular break from memorising and revising could potentially slow the students progress however this is something which needs to be worked around. During those days, students can listen to the Qur’an being recited. Listening to the Qur’an can be helpful with their new lessons (usually referred to as sabak) as listening to a set of verses repeatedly will make them familiar with those verses. Hence, when they come to memorising them at a later date they will be able to memorise a larger portion and in a shorter amount of time. They can also look inside the Qur’an provided they do not touch the Qur’an. Looking at the Qur’an can be helpful in different ways, especially for their revision. The student will be able to scan the page and note important locations in the Qur’an such as page or surah beginning and endings, rukus etc, they can also read in their mind, correct common mistakes that have been marked etc. What they cannot do is ‘read’ the Qur’an. Reading is considered when they move their tongue and lips to form the letters. She must refrain from this.

There are numerous hifz classes for women across the world who do not have them reciting during their menstruation. Despite this, these classes do have women graduating on a regular basis and depending on the effort of the students they can be quite good. If they are consistent and stay dedicated they will, by the will of Allah, be able to complete the memorisation of the Qur’an.

We should not compare hifz classes for women with hifz classes for men. If we do then women may seem to be at a disadvantage and always on the back foot as they are not able to dedicate as much time to memorising as men may be able to. Rather, classes for women should be judged by themselves, working at a pace which suits women, whilst taking into consideration their individual needs.

We have been advised by one female hifz teacher that for many of her students having this break brings positive results as the students come back fresh and ready to learn. Hence, the few weeks they are able to read they tend to put more effort in.

This is the position of the Hanafi school and what we adhere to. We do not consider it permissible to take the opinion of another school in such matters.

Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellows

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel