Can Women Memorise the Quran During Their Period?
Scholars differ on whether a woman may recite or memorise the Quran during her period. Many hold that she should not recite it, while others, including the Maliki school, allow reciting from memory, particularly to avoid forgetting. Listening, dhikr and dua are widely considered permissible. For your own situation, ask a scholar you trust.
Key Takeaways
- This is a question on which the schools of thought genuinely differ, so there isn't a single answer that applies to everyone.
- Many scholars hold that a menstruating woman should not recite the Quran, while often allowing short phrases used as dhikr or dua.
- The Maliki school, and some other scholars, allow reciting from memory, especially where there's a need such as not forgetting what has been memorised.
- Listening to recitation, making dhikr and dua, and studying meaning are widely considered permissible, and they help keep memorisation fresh.
- Ask your local imam or a scholar you trust which view to follow, then plan your Hifz around it with your teacher.
Why This Question Comes Up So Often
For a sister memorising the Quran, a week or more without revision every month can feel like a real setback, especially in the later stages of Hifz when there's a lot to keep fresh. Understanding the different scholarly views, and the things widely agreed to be permissible, helps you plan rather than lose ground.
The Narration Behind the Discussion
A narration often cited here is in Jami' at-Tirmidhi: "The menstruating woman does not recite, nor the Junub, anything from the Qur'an" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 131). Sunnah.com lists its chain as graded Da'if (weak) by Darussalam. Imam at-Tirmidhi also recorded that this was the position of most scholars he mentions, who still permitted part of a verse, tasbih and tahlil. Because the narration's strength is discussed and scholars weigh other evidence too, different conclusions have been reached.
How the Views Differ
| View | Summary | Commonly associated with |
|---|---|---|
| Should not recite | Avoid reciting the Quran, though short phrases used as dhikr or dua are often allowed | Many scholars, including within the Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools |
| May recite from memory | Reciting from memory is allowed, especially where there's a need such as not forgetting | The Maliki school and some other scholars |
Each school has further details and conditions, and individual scholars within a school sometimes differ, so treat this as an overview rather than a ruling. Please ask your local imam, or a knowledgeable female scholar, which view to follow.
What About Touching the Mushaf?
Touching the mushaf is treated as a separate question from reciting. Most schools hold that a woman in her period should not touch the mushaf directly, and some discuss using a barrier such as gloves. Contemporary scholars also differ on how a Quran app on a phone should be treated. Again, ask a scholar you trust.
What Is Widely Considered Permissible
- Listening to recitation, including the portions you're memorising.
- Dhikr and dua, remembering Allah and making supplication.
- Studying meaning, such as reading a translation or learning about the context of verses.
- Planning with your teacher, so the days back after your period are used well.
Keeping Hifz on Track Either Way
Whichever view you follow, you can protect your progress. Many sisters listen daily to the portions they're revising, use the time to learn the meaning of what they've memorised through a Quran Translation course, and agree a revision plan with their teacher for the days afterwards. For more practical tips, see our guide to how women can memorise the Quran faster and our guide to online Quran classes for women.
Learning with a Female Teacher
At Mariam Quran Tutor, every sister in our Hifz programme learns with a qualified female teacher, as explained on our Quran classes for sisters page, so plans can be adjusted around your cycle comfortably and privately. You can book a free trial lesson with no card required, or WhatsApp +44 7848 496686.
Frequently Asked Questions
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