Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

What is the most preferred opinion/ruling regarding women who are in their menstrual period and touching/reading the Qur`aan? What if a female is studying hifz? Are the use of gloves permissible in handling the Qur`aan?

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Can women touch the Quran while in her menses?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

This is a issue on which the scholars of Islam have a difference of opinion. The best and most accepted opinion is that a woman who is in her menstrual period should abstain from touching the Quran, until she has purified herself.

Most of the scholars are of the opinion that there is no harm for a woman, who is in her menstrual period, to recite the Quran from memory.

Your Question: What if a female is studying hifz? Are the use of gloves permissible in handling the Qur`aan?

If the woman is studying hifz and fears that she might forget if not rehearsed, or is a Quranic teacher and needs to teach, etc.; under these special circumstances the scholars are of the opinion that there is no harm if the woman in her menstrual period, touches the Quran, but she must wear gloves while doing so.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan