Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question: Assalamu alaykum
I know that we shouldn’t read the Quran while in janaba but I was too shy to tell my cousin I was in janaba when she ask me to read for her. so I read Quran while in Janaba.
What should I do?
Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh
I pray you are well.
I’m not aware of a specific punishment reserved for reciting the Qurʾan whilst in janaba. It is, however, considered to be a minor sin – one which is effaced by other good deeds, such as the prayer, fasting, the blessings on the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace. The best thing to do is turn turn to Allah and ask him sincerely to forgive you and to protect you from falling into it again.
Reciting the Qurʾan With the Intention of Dhikr
The Fuqaha do, however, mention that one could recite the Qurʾan with the intention of dhikr or duʿa (for verses which have the meaning of duʿa – such as the closing verse of Sura al Baqara). One would need to maintain the intention throughout. So reciting something like Imam al Shadhili’s Hizb al Bahr, or the collection of verses commonly know as ‘al Manzil’ in the Subcontinent, with the intention of dhikr is perfectly permissible. (Ibn ʿAbidin, Radd al Muhtar)
I hope that helps. May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat