Q: We are a group of female students who study at a girls' school. During the Holy Qur'an class our teacher asks us to recite Qur'an. The point is that sometimes we are in menses but we feel shy to tell our teacher and so we conform to his request. Is doing so permissible? If it is not, what should we do if the exam day comes while some of us are menstruating?
A : Scholars (may Allah be merciful with them all) disagreed regarding the ruling on menstruating women reciting the Glorious Qur'an and those who are in postpartum period. Some scholars held the view that doing so is Haram (prohibited) just as the case with regard to whoever is Junub (in a state of major ritual impurity). Such scholars proceeded by saying that since it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that a Junub is not permitted to recite Qur'an, the same applies to women in their menses and postpartum period because they are all different forms of Janabah (major ritual impurity related to sexual discharge). Consequently, menstruating women or those in postpartum period may not recite Qur'an until they become pure. In support of their view, the advocates of this opinion also quoted the Hadith which is related by AlTirmidhy on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that he said: A menstruating woman or a junub may not recite anything from the Qur'an .
However, some other scholars stated that it is permissible for menstruating women and those in postpartum period to recite the Qur'an by heart. They justified their opinion by saying that both the menses and postpartum period may last for many days and thus Qiyas (analogy) can not be drawn between them and Janabah as the latter's period is short. Moreover, unlike a menstruating woman or she who is in postpartum period, a junub can immediately perform Ghusl (ritual bath following major ritual impurity) then recite Qur'an. As for the Hadith that is quoted by the first group of scholars, it is stated that it is a Da`if (weak) Hadith because it is narrated by Isma`il ibn `Ayyash from the people of Hijaz and such narrations are Da`if. This second opinion is the most proper one.
Accordingly, it is permissible for a woman who is in her menstruation or postpartum period to recite Qur'an by heart. This is because both the menses and postpartum period last for many days and thus Qiyas can not be drawn between them and Janabah. To be more specific, a female student or teacher (who is in her menses or postpartum period) is permitted to recite Qur'an by heart but not from the Mushaf (Arabic Qur'an) during the exam or at any other time. However, if the female student or teacher needs to recite Qur'an using the Mushaf, this is permissible provided that a screen is used