Answered by Shaykh Sohail Hanif, SunniPath Academy Teacher
Should you be on wudu while listening to a CD of the Qur’an?
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
Assalamu alaykum
One does not need to perform an ablution (wudu) to recite the Qur’an from memory or to listen to it’ rather one is only obliged to be in a state of ritual purity to touch a copy of the Qur’an (mushaf) or any verse of the Qur’an.
It is generally recommended, however, to keep in a state of purity at all times, and it is especially recommended to perform a ritual ablution for making remembrance of Allah–and listening to the Qur’an is certainly remembrance of Allah.
Sohail Hanif
Faraz Rabbani adds: However, not being on wudu should not deter one from listening to the Qur’an when when is unable to perform wudu.