710. Can I Read The Qur’aan Without Wudhu?

By Asma bint Shameem 

It is *highly recommended* to have wudhu when reciting the Qur’aan. 

However it is *not mandatory*.

There’s nothing in the Qur’aan or authentic Sunnah to prevent a person from *“reading”* the Qur’aan when he does not have wudhu.

Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan said:

“It is permissible for a person to recite the Qur’aan without having wudhu if he recites from his memory. This is since nothing prevented the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam from reciting the Qur’aan except for Janaabah(sexual impurity). He Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam would recite the Qur’aan whilst in a state of wudhu and without it.”

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Naasir al-Barraak said:

“It is well known that it is NOT ESSENTIAL to be free from minor impurity when reciting Qur’aan from memory, or even from major impurity, but purifying oneself before reciting Qur'aan, even from memory, is better, because it is the Word of Allaah and it is more respectful towards Him to only recite it when in a state of purity.”

However, do keep in mind there’s a *difference* between *READING* the Qur’aan without wudhu and *TOUCHING* the Qur’aan without wudhu or in the state of impurity. 

So it’s allowed to *“read”* the Qur’aan without wudhu. 

In fact you can even read it during your menses. (There’s no evidence in the Sharee’ah that we cannot read the Qur’aan during Menses)

As for *touching* the Qur’aan without wudhu, there’s a difference of opinion among the scholars. 

The majority of the scholars say that wudhu is a MUST when touching the Qur’aan. 

But others say that there’s no evidence to prove that. 

Obviously it’s *much BETTER* that we have wudhu when we touch the Qur’aan to be in the safe side. 

That’s why there’s no problem to READ the Qur’aan from a *cellphone* or other electronic devices because that’s NOT the Mus-haf. 

Shaikh al-Fawzaan said regarding this issue:

“It does not require wudhu because the cellphone is not a Mus-haf and does not take the rulings of the Mus-haf. Also for the one reading from his heart, it is allowed for the one who has minor impurity. As for major impurity, then he does not read the Qur’aan. Not from the Mushaf nor from his heart until he makes ghusl.”

What about the Aayah from Surah al-Waaqi’ah?

Yes there’s an Aayah in the Qur’aan that says:

“None touch it except the purified.” (Surah al-Waaqi’ah: 78-79)

But the ulama explain that this refers to the Qur’aan that’s preserved in al-Lawh al-Mahfoodh, the Preserved Tablet. And not the Qur’aan (Mus-haf) that we have.  

In any case, the aayah is *NOT a “command”* from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala; rather it’s just a *“statement of fact”.*

Someone asked Shaikh al-Albaani about this Aayah and said:

“Does the word al-Mutahharoon (the purified) refer to the believers or those who have wudhu?”

Shaykh al-Albaani said:

“The intended meaning of it is neither this nor that. Rather it refers to the angels and it is a statement from Allaah the Mighty and Majestic concerning the angels; and it does not refer to this Qur’aan [in our midst]. It refers to that which is in the Preserved Tablet. So none can touch the mus-haf, which is in the Preserved Tablet except the purified and they are the angels brought near [to Allaah]…As regards the mus-haf that is in our midst [today], it can be touched by the righteous and the evil doer, the believer and the disbeliever. Therefore, our Lord is not referring to mankind absolutely regardless of whether they are righteous or evil doers. 

Rather, what He meant, as we have stated, is the angels….

There are narrations from some of the Companions that they used to avoid touching the Qur’aan without wudhu. This action of theirs indicates that what is best for someone who intends to touch the Qur’aan or read the Qur’aan [is to perform wudhu].”(Silsilah al-Huda wan-Noor, Tape 001, fatwa no. 08)

So do try and have wudhu when you touch and read the Qur’aan, unless it’s difficult etc. 

And if you’re on your menses, then turn the pages with gloves or a pencil etc. 

What about books of tafseer and other such books

As for duaa books, tafseer books etc., the ulama say you can touch these books because along with the Qur’aan, they also contain other than that which is the Qur’aan. 

So the rulings dont apply. 

 Proof:

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam would send letters to the disbeliever rulers inviting them to Islaam. 

These letters had Bismillaahir- Rahmaan-nir-Raheem written on it, along with the rest of the message that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam sent these rulers.

 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam knew that these disbelievers will touch the letter although they’re not ‘pure’. Yet he wrote Allaah’s Name on them. 

And there are other proofs. 

And Allaah knows best.