Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Assalam alaykum
Is it permissible to lean back while reading the Quran?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
Yes, it would be permitted for you to recite the Qur’an whilst leaning against something, such as a chair or the like. The same would apply to reciting whilst lying on your side or on your back. Moreover, this ruling extends to books of the Islamic sciences a fortiori.
Allah Most High says, “There truly are signs in the creation of the heavens and earth, and in the alternation of night and day, for those with understanding, who remember God standing, sitting, and lying down.” [3.190-191]
`A’isha reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) “would recline on my lap reading the Qur’an, even though I was menstruating.” [Bukhari] And Abu Musa al-Ash`ari (Allah Most High be well-pleased with him) said, “I recite the Qur’an in my prayer, and in my bed.”
But it would be from higher, and more perfected, proper manners to recite whilst seated upright as it is a posture which is indicative of greater veneration. This is particularly the case when you are also facing the direction of the qibla at the same time. However, there is a time and place for the various postures. Allah Most High says, “Whoever honours God’s symbols shows the piety of their hearts.” [22.32]
[al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya; Tahtawi, Hashiyat al-Tahtawi `ala Maraqi al-Falah (1.205); Nawawi, al-Tibyan fi Adab Hamalat al-Qur’an (98-99)]
Please also see: Ghazali on the Inner Manners of Qur’an Recital and: Etiquette of Reading and Handling the Qur’an and: Why is There so much Concern with ‘Manners’ (Adab) in Islam? and: Placing the Qur’an on the Floor: Not Permissible
And consider listening to: Living the Quran: Ghazali’s Manners of Qur’an Recital with Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
And Allah Most High alone knows best.
نقل في الفتاوى الهندية: لا بأس بقراءة القرآن إذا وضع جنبه على الأرض ولكن ينبغي أن يضم رجليه عند القراءة، كذا في المحيط . ولا بأس بالقراءة مضطجعا إذا أخرج رأسه من اللحاف؛ لأنه يكون كاللبس وإلا فلا، كذا في القنية اهـ.
وذكر الطحطاوي في حواشي المراقي: وتكلموا في قراءته مضطجعا والأولى أن يقرأ على وجه يكون أقرب إلى التعظيم ولا بأس بغير القرآن مضطجعا اهـ.
wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadh Tabraze Azam was born and raised in Ipswich, England, a quiet town close to the east coast of England. His journey for seeking sacred knowledge began when he privately memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown at the age of 16. He also had his first experience in leading the tarawih (nightly-Ramadan) prayers at his local mosque. Year after year he would continue this unique return to reciting the entire Quran in one blessed month both in his homeland, the UK, and also in the blessed lands of Shaam, where he now lives, studies and teaches.