Q: I have recently downloaded the Quraan app on my iPhone (touchscreen). Am I permitted to read and touch the Quraan without wudhu? Also, would it be less beneficial to recite the Quraan in this electronic format rather than in book form?
A: It is permissible to recite the Qur’an on the phone without wudhu, however you should refrain from placing your finger on that part of the screen where the Qur’anic verses appear.
Though it is permissible to recite the Qur’an on the phone, however we strongly discourage the downloading of the Qur’an on the mobile phone and reciting from it. Through reciting the Qur’an in this manner, the honour and sanctity of the Qur’an will no longer be maintained. Especially in these times where pictures of animate objects are taken and stored on the mobile phone and many sins perpetrated through it. Hence, in order to uphold the rights of the Qur’an and show it the respect and honour it deserves, we strongly encourage that one recite the Qur’an in the original way through looking into the Qur’an and reciting it in the state of wudhu.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
وَمَن يُعَظِّمْ شَعَائِرَ اللَّـهِ فَإِنَّهَا مِن تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ ﴿الحج: ٣٢﴾
( و ) يحرم ( به ) أي بالأكبر ( وبالأصغر ) مس مصحف أي ما فيه آية كدرهم وجدار
قال الشامي : قوله ( مس مصحف ) المصحف بتثليث الميم والضم فيه أشهر سمي به لأنه أصحف أي جمع فيه الصحائف حلية قوله ( أي ما فيه آية الخ ) أي المراد مطلق ما كتب فيه قرآن مجازا من إطلاق اسم الكل على الجزء أو من باب الإطلاق والتقييد قال ح لكن لا يحرم في غير المصحف إلا بالمكتوب أي موضع الكتابة كذا في باب الحيض من البحر وقيد بالآية لأنه لو كتب ما دونها لا يكره مسه كما في حيض القهستاني (رد المحتار 1/ 173)
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)