Question:
Dear Maulana,
There are few websites that allows us to read Qur’an online. These websites have published the electronic version of Qur’an so you can read the holy Qur’an just as you would do on the paper based Qur’an. Therefor my question is that do we need to have wudhu while reading it online? What is the rule if we read using mobile equipment such as laptop, touch screen computers and even mobile phones such as iPhone and other devices such as iPod? What is the rule when reading the Qur’an using desktop computer by which we would turn pages using mouse and keyboard? What about keeping the Qur’an inside our pockets by installing it to our mobile devices? How can we avoid disrespecting the holy book of almighty Allah?
JAZAKALLAH KHAIR.
Answer:
Wuzu is needed only to touch the Quraan. As for just reading it, is is an Adab (Ettiquete) to read with wuzu. The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam did not reply to salaam without wuzu because salaam is the name of Allah.
“Wuzu is the weapon of a believer” – No one is punctual of wuzu except a true believer.
“Cleanliness is half of Imaan” – When one is in a situation where he needs to read the Quraan, but is unable to do wuzu, he should not abandon the reading just because he doesn’t have wuzu. Read it as much as possible. As for the latest electronic equipment, wuzu is only required when you touch the letters. As long as you don’t touch the letters on the computer or iPhone you are OK.