Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to recite the Qur'an and the morning and evening adhkar?

The questioner: Several questions have been received regarding the recitation of the Qur'an and dhikr for a menstruating woman. Can a menstruating woman recite the Qur'an? And if not, is it permissible for her to recite the various adhkar in the morning and evening while she is menstruating? And is complete purity, meaning purification from both major and minor ritual impurities, a condition for these types of dhikr?

The Shaykh: The answer is divided into two parts: one part concerns the pure among men and women, and the other part concerns menstruating and postpartum women. As for the first part, there is nothing that obligates them to be in a state of complete purity if they wish to recite the Qur'an, or to recite the daily recitations, or to remember Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) with any prescribed dhikr. However, it is better for these people, since they are able to attain purity, both major and minor, to be in a state of complete purity when they wish to remember Allah (Mighty and Majestic), especially when reciting the Qur'an.
As for the other part, which is menstruating and postpartum women, it is permissible for them to do so, a fortiori. We said that it is permissible for the first group, but it is better for them to purify themselves. As for menstruating and postpartum women, they are not able to purify themselves according to the Shari'ah. Therefore, the dispensation for them is stronger, clearer, and more evident. Evidence for this is the story of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) when she was on Hajj with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). They stopped at a place on their way to Mecca, near it, called "Sarw." The Messenger (peace be upon him) entered upon Aisha and found her crying. He said: . She said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: . In this is an explicit permission from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for Aisha, who was menstruating, to do everything a pilgrim does, such as entering the mosque, reciting the Qur'an, remembering Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and other daily recitations and adhkar. He permitted her to do this because all these things are from the remembrance of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He), of which specific types are prescribed for the pilgrim when he comes to the Sacred Mosque. His saying (peace and blessings be upon him) to her: is decisive proof of the permissibility of her entering the mosque, reciting the Qur'an, and remembering Allah and the other adhkar.