Can I recite or memorise the Qur’ān during my menstruation cycle?
If I can’t, what should I be doing instead?
Are there any tips?
These are common enquiries I’ve received via email and social media that prompted me to hear from others and write this post.
I asked sisters in the #Hifdh community and many who have memorised across the globe for their insights. The tips and suggestions in this post are based on their experiences.
I hope this will be of benefit to you.
Let’s get into it.
The Legal Positions: Can I Recite or Memorise the Qur’an During Menses?
First, let’s understand the variant positions on this issue. Scholars have drawn different conclusions based on their understanding of the Qur’ān and Sunnah.
Among the four major Sunni schools of thought (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali), there are different views. While some scholars prohibit recitation and touching the Mus’haf, others permit it with certain conditions. I am a Sunni (and Hanafi) which is why I am mentioning these. I am not aware of the positions within the Shi’a schools of thought. Whilst you’ll find a dominant position of a Madh’hab itself, there are also opinions that might differ from that within the Madh’hab. I will try to mention both without going into details.
This discussion falls under purification (Tahārah), covering:
- The permissibility of touching or reciting the Qur’an
- The definition and position of menstruation in Fiqh
- The validity of worship acts during this time
So there are different conclusions drawn by our jurists (Fuqahā) who are the inheritors of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ). Those who have derived ‘understanding’ from the Qur’ān and Sunnah to draw out legal value, practical law, and jurisprudential principles. These are known as Hukm, Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh.
You will see the positions are not all that different in the conclusions. The following are answers I had after consultation with my teachers. These were answers that I provided others too. Allah forgive me for any errors.
The Hanafi Position
- One cannot recite (or memorise) the Qur’an or touch the Mus’haf while in menses. This position is based on more than 13+ evidences.
- Some scholars allow recitation with an intention other than Qur’an recitation, such as reciting du’ās from the Qur’an or reciting only for teaching Tajwīd (e.g., breaking up words like Alhamdu… Lillahi… Rabbil… ‘Alameen).
- One is permitted to listen to the Qur’ān during the period (see further under things to note below).
- Others have said you can memorise as it is considered a process of seeking knowledge.
Can I read the Qur’an on my period without touching it?
- Digital Qur’an apps are not considered Mus’haf by most scholars, so you can read from a phone or laptop.
- Translation-only Qur’ans are also not considered Mus’haf, meaning they can be touched.
The Maliki Position
- One can recite the Qur’an during menses.
- However, she cannot touch the Mus’haf during this period (and she must take a Ghusl before reciting once the bleeding stops).
- A student or teacher of the Qur’an may recite and touch the Mus’haf under the condition of learning or teaching.
This means if you follow the Maliki opinion, you can continue memorising even during menstruation.
The Shafi’i Position
- One cannot recite aloud or touch the Mus’haf during menses.
- She can recite in her heart for memorisation or otherwise.
This means silent memorisation (reading without moving the lips and sound) is permitted.
The Hanabli Position
The Hanabli also hold the position that is it prohibited to recite and touch.
Other Positions & The Case for Memorisation During Menses
There are those who differ with the Hanafi, Shafi’i and Hanbali conclusions stating that there position is weak of evidence. However, often this position is founded upon weak deduction. They maintain the position that there is no prohibition to recite and so you may carry on. This is the position of Imam Malik in stating that one can recite the Qur’ān but cannot touch the Mus’haf.
Ibn Qayyim, for example, says:
It is permissible for a woman to recite Qur'an while she is menstruating since this is something that she would not be able to make up later while she is not menstruating as the period of menstruation could extend to a large amount of time. If she were not allowed to recite, then she would miss out on something beneficial for her and she might forget much of what she had memorised when she was not menstruating.
Some contemporary scholars state that menstruation does not invalidate recitation, especially for students of knowledge. Some scholars suggest maintaining a connection with the Qur’an through permissible means.
While many scholars from the Hanafi, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali schools advise against reciting or physically touching the Mushaf during menstruation, other scholars—including many within the Maliki tradition—hold a more lenient view. According to these opinions, as long as the intention is to memorise or revise the Qur’ān, reciting it from memory or in one’s heart is permissible even during menses. This perspective highlights that one may still continue to benefit from Qur’ān recitation by using digital apps or listening to recordings, provided that the rulings of one’s chosen school of thought are respected.
For more, there are many material available online that you can refer to like “Why Can’t A Menstruating Woman Touch the Qur’an? Islam’s Perspective on Menstruation”.
Allah knows best.
Don’t Worry – Things to Note
Can I listen to the Qur’an on my period?
Yes. Listening to the Qur’an is allowed by all scholars. Many students use this time to strengthen their memorisation by listening to previous lessons.
When the scholars say one can listen to the Qur’ān, it is interesting. For us as Hifdh students and lovers of Qur’ān recitation, it would be tempting and impossible not to begin reciting whilst listening. I know this for sure! It would be a difficult task not to be tempted. Therefore, naturally whilst listening (especially to verses that you know) you will be inclined towards reciting. In this situation, recite in your heart not aloud.
Can I read Qur’an on my period with gloves?
Some scholars allow using a barrier, such as gloves or a stick, to turn the pages.
Using a Digital Qur’an App
When using Qur’ān apps, it is generally regarded to be something where one does not need to be in a state of wūdū’ for. Hence no ritual purity. This is because they are not considered to be the Mus’haf. Being digital, things can be wiped etc. Likewise translation only is not considered to be the Qur’ān. When using these apps or reciting the Qur’ān at normal times, it is best practice to be in a state of wūdū’ as a believer.
Majority opinion
The fact that the majority of the opinions held by our Mujtahid Imams are in agreement (Ijma’a) that one cannot recite from the Qur’an and touch the Mus’haf, means something. In al-Tirmidhi, Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah will not cause my ummah — or the ummah of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) — to agree on misguidance.”
What opinion do I follow?
If you follow and have studied a particular Madh’hab then stick to the opinion of that Madh’hab. It is best to not pick and mix (Talfiq) because you feel one is correct and one is not. The four Sunni schools of Jurisprudence (Fiqh) are all a means of operationalising the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). One should follow the School that they can most easily learn and apply in their lives.
I want to take exception
All of this is a mercy and the Wisdom of Allah. In no way, shape or form should you feel bad or feel as though they are looked upon as being ‘dirty’. You have a valid exemption from ritual worship during a time you may otherwise be feeling weaker. You may make supplication as normal but ritual worship would be a rukhsa.
Now let’s look at what you can do.
Tips & Suggestions for Memorising the Qur’an During Menses
Here’s what our sisters from the Hifdh community shared:
“I used to attend a madrassah and they would just make the girls wear gloves when using the Qur’an.”
“I follow the opinion of not touching-Not with anything one is wearing- nor reciting.. so we would basically listen to our current juz over and over.. However, one could eye-read if they wished but I have never seen anybody do so. We weren’t required to be in class on those days. However, I ‘ve observed that now it is a requirement to be present and learn Tajweed or Arabic during that time. I have also seen some teachers prefer that the students be present and test other students who are to recite from that Juz so that they would not be totally out of touch with it when they begin reciting again. At times the first day of reciting is tough because you have forgotten majority of what was memorised the previous week, especially if you memorise a large portion daily. The most difficult was if you were completing the Juz the next day and were to recite it in one sitting with less than 3 mistakes because by the time you got back to it.. It seemed to have disappeared!”
“[…] Stopping during menses would most likely hinder and prolong the entire Hifth journey. As far as I know, according to Imam Maalik it is completely permissible to recite Qur’an during menses, so I follow his opinion in this regard.”
“I follow Imam Malik’s opinion and I still recite during my periods. Why do I follow this opinion? This is the opinion of my Qur’an teacher.”
“For me I’m in no hurry to complete my memorisation, so I don’t mind if my natural cycles prevent me from maintaining the momentum. On the other hand, I welcome the break as it gives me the opportunity to revise translations and tafsir of what I’ve been memorising in the last month or am hoping to memorise in the coming month. With my students too I use the break to teach them theory or test them on theory taught previously via pop quizzes.”
“As a Hanafi, at one madresa I attended we still had to bring the Mushaf with and follow silently with a pencil. At another madresa we had to at least pray a quarter juzz breaking up.”
“There are differing opinions on the issue — some allow recitation and/or touching (without gloves) if they are full time students and/or teachers. For those who follow the opinion of ‘not touching’ — these could be used: https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Hand-Pointers-Set-3/dp/B001646V2A”
So that’s what they said and some extra points here…
#1 — Sisters use a period calendar, incorporate your Hifdh into it
The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long. Cycles can range anywhere from 21 to 35 days in adults and from 21 to 45 days in young teens. Within this cycle you have the period (loss of blood) which lasts between 3–7 days or more than 8–10 for heavy periods. Between the ages of 12 and 52, a woman will have around 480 periods, or fewer if she has any pregnancies.
This means you’ll have between an average of 13 periods in a year. One may have between 12, 15 or more and health conditions can be a big factor.
So as normal, you would either have an app or a calendar to track all the dates when you are expected to be having your periods.
Let’s say you are memorising 5 days a week. In the UK, this year (2016) we have 253 working days, 105 weekend days and around 8 public holidays. Take out at least 120 days, you are left with around 133 days in the year.
If you memorise a page per day, you’ve done 133 in the year and you have at least four months to do other things including Arabic, Tafsir and listening. That would mean you’re doing Hifdh in around 4.5 years at most.
#2 — Use the time to review
This is through using apps, laptop or desktops (www.quranflash.com / Quran Academy spps) and listen to the Qur’an portions you’ve memorised. This is perhaps the big challenge when it comes to menses
#3 — Memorise a little more before the days appear in preparation
This may not be the best of tips but nonetheless something of a possibility. You can calculate how much you would normally memorise during the period. Cut it in half and memorise that amount before the period kicks in.
#4 — Make constant prayers for success and facilitation
Make continual prayer for your success and ease.
If you have anything to add, please feel free to leave a response or get in touch.
#5 — Study what you’ve memorised
If you don’t recite or memorise, focus on building more connection with what you’ve already memorised by studying the meanings and tafsir. This will give you time to build a relationship with the verses and further your memorisation. If you struggle due to pain and mood swings, it may be a challenge to focus but do it at times where you can.
#6 — Make wudu’ and make preparation as normal
To keep you in routine and flow, make wudu’ just like usual with the mindset that you’re about to recite and memorise as usual. This will help you keep clean to an extent but also keep you in a habit loop.
#7 — Memorise other things and strengthen your memory techniques
Explore your abilities and try memorise Arabic vocabulary to enhance your memorisation further. You can explore memory techniques and use them against numbers, words or languages. This will give you the ability to improve and when you do get back to memorise you can come back to it with a renewed energy.
#8 — Dealing with the motivational slump and picking things up again
Many of you will struggle with negative thoughts. I want to be a boy, I want to quit, I feel lazier, weaker, I am losing progress, and then I get PMS which makes it worse. So what’s the point? I keep having to go over this every month and it’s not fair. Things are taking longer because inconsistency and these struggles. You may struggle to read again because it feels like an obligation and you don’t want to do it. Mindset shifts can help. See tasks as opportunities because your life is one big opportunity. Instead of thinking, “I have to pray today”, try thinking, “I get to pray and experience Allah today!” Replace, “I have to” with “I get to have the privilege of.”
What you do during your menses will set the tone for everything else. Shift your mind towards Allah more. When you’re in a motivation slump during the second half of your monthly cycle, try a bunch of different ways to get yourself moving gradually towards starting again until you find the right motivator or combination of motivators that work for you. You must also look after your health as much as possible during your menses and after. Use the right products, get time outdoors, take your magnesium, iron and healthy fats. Journal things down. Speak to other sisters or those who have experience and get support to push you forward. Speak to other sisters like Maryam Amir or others that have memorised to see what they did.
Lastly, do not see your cycle as a punishment or a bad thing. It’s challenging and difficult, yes. Is it an opportunity? Yes. If you do your best to keep connected and keep positive, you will be rewarded much more.
In Conclusion
Memorising the Qur’ān is a journey marked by dedication, consistency, and reliance on Allah’s guidance. Whether you follow the stricter view or adopt the more lenient opinion regarding recitation during menses, know that your effort is valued. During menses, you can focus on alternatives—such as listening to recitations, revising your memorised portions, or even reciting in your heart—to maintain your momentum.
Remember: Your personal circumstances and chosen school of thought matter. If you’re uncertain, consult a trusted teacher who can guide you in line with your tradition. Every effort you make on this noble journey is a step toward closeness with Allah, and He rewards perseverance in every form.
May Allah make your memorisation journey easy and bless you with sincerity and success.
