Answered by: Ustadh Moinul Abu Hamza
Question:
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
I have a query regarding the following fatwa: http://daruliftabirmingham.co.uk/reciting-the-quran-in-different-positions/
Narrated `Aisha:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite the Qur’an with his head in my lap while I used to be in my periods (having menses).
حَدَّثَنَا قَبِيصَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ أُمِّهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ وَرَأْسُهُ فِي حَجْرِي وَأَنَا حَائِضٌ.
Sahih al-Bukhari 7549
What answer would we give to this? Would we say that to follow the actions of Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم is better, or can there be any more adab for the Quraan than that of Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Did Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم go against the etiquette of the Qur’an and against what was best?
I do not understand the conclusion of the Respected mufti in relation to the actions of Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم. Kindly explain the above to me and forgive me for any shortcoming in my Manner of questioning and understanding.
Answer:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
“However, if a person reads the Holy Qur’an lying down or in any other positions it will be permissible, but against etiquettes. (Fatawa Hindiyyah p.316 v.5)”
So this the opinion stated in Fatawa Hindiyya. As for the hadith, it is not possible in my humble opinion to deduce this was a continuous action and the best practice of the prophet (pbuh) since a woman is only in menses for a short period of time in the month and so most of the time the Prophet (pbuh) was not lying down and reading.
Hence the best practice is what is deduced in the fatwa above. As for it being permissible, this is not in question, but one should take note of one’s optimal effort towards the Quran. When one is well-rested and with ease of mind, one should stand for prayer, if one has ease of mind but physically tired then one should sit down and read Quran, and if one is both physically and mentally tired, one can lie down and make dhikr by tasbeeh or reading Quran. This is from the perspective of ability and practicality however as it goes without saying that adab towards Quran is to do things at one’s optimum in regards to effort.
Only Allah Knows Best
Answered by Ustadh Moinul Abu Hamza
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham