This is one of the most commonly asked questions among Muslim women, and it deserves a clear, respectful answer, not a one-line ruling that ignores the genuine scholarly discussion around it.
The honest answer is: scholars differ on this. All four major Madhabs have a position, and understanding each one helps you follow the ruling most appropriate to your school of thought.
The Core Question – Why Scholars Differ
The disagreement centres on whether the prohibition on touching the Mushaf during major ritual impurity (Hadath Akbar), which includes Janabah (post-intimacy impurity), also applies to Haid (menstruation).
Scholars agree that a woman in a state of Janabah cannot recite or touch the Quran. The difference is whether the same strict ruling extends to menstruation, which lasts longer and is beyond a woman’s control.
The Four Madhab Positions
Hanafi A menstruating woman may not recite the Quran, even from memory, nor touch the physical Mushaf. However, she may read individual Ayahs with the intention of Dua (supplication) rather than recitation, for example, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha as a prayer rather than Tilawah. Reading from a phone or screen is a more contemporary question; many Hanafi scholars permit it as the phone is not considered a Mushaf.
Maliki A menstruating woman may recite the Quran from memory for teaching, learning, or fear of forgetting. She may not touch the physical Mushaf without a barrier. This position acknowledges the practical difficulty of completely abandoning Quran recitation for an extended period.
Shafi’i A menstruating woman may not recite the Quran, even from memory, nor touch the Mushaf. This is the strictest position among the four schools on this specific question.
Hanbali, similar to the Maliki position, recitation from memory is permitted according to the stronger opinion within the school, particularly to avoid forgetting memorised portions. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, one of the most influential Hanbali scholars, held that there is no authentic evidence completely prohibiting a menstruating woman from reciting the Quran.
Reading From a Phone or Tablet
This is the most practically relevant question for most Muslim women today. The majority of contemporary scholars, across all four Madhabs, permit reading the Quran from a phone or tablet screen during menstruation because a digital screen is not classified as a physical Mushaf. The strict rulings around touching the Mushaf do not apply to a screen displaying the Quran text.
This is consistent with the ruling on Wudu and digital devices covered in our post on “ Can I read the Quran without Wudu.
Summary Table
| Madhab | Recitation From Memory | Touching Mushaf | Reading From Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanafi | Not permitted (except as Dua) | Not permitted | Permitted – majority view |
| Maliki | Permitted for teaching/learning | Not without barrier | Permitted |
| Shafi’i | Not permitted | Not permitted | Permitted |
| Hanbali | Permitted – stronger opinion | Not without barrier | Permitted |
Practical Guidance
Whichever Madhab you follow, reading the Quran from a phone or tablet during menstruation is widely permitted across all schools. This means a Muslim woman can maintain her daily Quran connection, reading, following along, and reflecting on the text, during her period without violating any of the four major scholarly positions.
If you are uncertain about which ruling applies to your specific situation, consulting a qualified local scholar or Imam is always recommended for personal religious guidance.
For women building a consistent daily Quran reading habit, our post on the benefits of reading Quran daily covers why maintaining that habit matters and how even small daily amounts add up significantly over time. Our Quran recitation course is available to women of all levels, and our certified female tutors make the learning environment comfortable and appropriate for sisters at every stage.
FAQs on Reading the Quran during the period
Yes, reciting Quranic verses with the intention of Dua rather than Tilawah is permitted across most schools, including the Hanafi Madhab.
Yes, using a barrier between the hand and the physical Mushaf is permitted across all four schools, as it removes the direct contact that the ruling addresses.
Post-childbirth bleeding (Nifas) carries the same rulings as menstruation across all four Madhabs. The same summary table above applies.
Listening to the Quran is permitted without restriction during menstruation across all scholarly positions. There is no ruling against hearing the Quran recited.