Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

QUESTION:

As Salaamu Alaikum,

Can you clarify if one has to be in a state of wudhu for one to recites Quran on a mobile device?

ANSWER:

Wa Alaikum As Salaam,

One does not have to be in the state of wudhu to recite Quran on a mobile device. This means that if the Quranic verses are displayed on the phone or any other similar electronic devices, one can look at it and recite the Quran even if one does not have wudhu, since it is permissible to recite Quran from memory without being in the state of wudhu. If however, one is in the state of major ritual impurity (needing a compulsory bath), then it will not be permissible for one to recite the Quran from the phone except that one has taken the compulsory bath.

It must be understood however, that while reciting Quran from the phone, if one has the need to use one’s finger to scroll the pages of the Quranic text up and down (on the phone) and the finger touches the words of the Quran on the phone, then many scholars have stated that one should be in the state of wudhu in order to do this, and this is the preferred verdict out of precaution.

Although some scholars have mentioned that it is not a requirement for one to be in the state of wudhu to touch the screen and move the pages of the Quranic text on the phone while reciting it, since what is being touched is not the actual pages of the Quran but a glass screen, which prevents one from physically touching the words of the Quran, the most preferred opinion and verdict in order to show respect to the words of the Quran is that one should be in the state of wudhu.

If one is without wudhu and is reciting the Quran from the mobile device, then in order to scroll the pages of the verses up or down, one can place his finger on those places of the page (screen of the phone) which is blank. This could be at the side of the page where there is nothing written. A person can also use a touch screen pen/stick for scrolling, which allows him to recite the Quran and move the pages without touching the screen (when in the state without wudhu).

(Fatawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya Vol. 7 page 728 Zam Zam Publishers Karachi 2017; Kitab An Nawazil Vol. 3 Page 111 Darul Ishaat Karachi 2016; Fatawa Ibadur Rahman Vol. 5 Page. 103 Darul Ifta wat Tahqeeq Karachi).

And Allah Knows best

Mufti Waseem Khan

25/09/2019