What is the ruling on a menstruating woman reading the Qur'an if there is a dire necessity, such as an exam or illness, or something else?
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The questioner : What is the ruling in Islamic law, in your view, regarding a woman reading the Qur'an while she is menstruating, if there is a dire necessity, such as an exam or illness, or something else?
The Shaykh : There is no blame on a woman for reading the Qur'an for a pressing need or public benefit. An example of a pressing need is the Qur'anic recitations a woman reads, such as the Verse of the Throne and the two chapters of seeking refuge. Likewise, what a student reads for an exam or the like. There is also nothing wrong with reading the Qur'an for public benefit, such as a woman teaching her sons or daughters, or a teacher teaching girls. This is because there are no authentic, explicit hadiths in the Sunnah that prevent a menstruating woman from reading the Qur'an.
However, if a menstruating woman reads the Qur'an merely for the sake of worship, it is better that she not do so. This is because many scholars have said that it is forbidden for a menstruating woman to read the Qur'an. If she leaves off the Qur'an, she is safe, but if she reads it, her situation is dangerous, oscillating between safety and sin. Safety is better.
In summary: it is permissible for a menstruating woman to read the Qur'an for a pressing need or public benefit. However, if it is merely for the sake of worship, it is better that she not read it.
The Shaykh : There is no blame on a woman for reading the Qur'an for a pressing need or public benefit. An example of a pressing need is the Qur'anic recitations a woman reads, such as the Verse of the Throne and the two chapters of seeking refuge. Likewise, what a student reads for an exam or the like. There is also nothing wrong with reading the Qur'an for public benefit, such as a woman teaching her sons or daughters, or a teacher teaching girls. This is because there are no authentic, explicit hadiths in the Sunnah that prevent a menstruating woman from reading the Qur'an.
However, if a menstruating woman reads the Qur'an merely for the sake of worship, it is better that she not do so. This is because many scholars have said that it is forbidden for a menstruating woman to read the Qur'an. If she leaves off the Qur'an, she is safe, but if she reads it, her situation is dangerous, oscillating between safety and sin. Safety is better.
In summary: it is permissible for a menstruating woman to read the Qur'an for a pressing need or public benefit. However, if it is merely for the sake of worship, it is better that she not read it.