Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Is it offensive to read religious books while lying down? In particular, can you comment on reading hadith, sira, fiqh while lying down? What is the status on general topics like the appendices to The Reliance of the Traveller or Islamic history?
In the Name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
Walaikum assalam,
It is not sinful even to read the Qur’an lying down. However, it is improper.
It is superior to read all books of knowledge in a outward state of ritual purity, with reverence, exaltation, and proper adab, which includes sitting in a befitting manner.
Imam al-Karkhi said, “By Allah, we did not acquire this knowledge except through reverence. I never picked up a piece of paper except on wudu.”
Wassalam,