Some scholars held the view that a menstruating woman or who is in postpartum period is not permitted to recite Qur'an just as it is the ruling regarding whoever is Junub (in a state of major ritual impurity). In support of their view, they quoted a Da`if (weak) Hadiththat is related by Abu Dawud on the authority of Ibn 'Umar(may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A menstruating woman or a Junub person is not permitted to recite anything from the Qur'an Any way, scholars stated that this Hadith is Da`if because it is narrated by Isma`il ibn `Ayyash from the people of Hijaz and this narration is weak.

On the other hand, some scholars drew Qiyas (analogy) between menstruating women and whoever is Junub. They proceeded by saying that since a Junub person is not permitted to recite Qur'an, the same applies to women having their menses or postpartum period because all these are different forms of Janabah (major ritual impurity related to sexual discharge) for which Ghusl (ritual bath following major ritual impurity) is Wajib (obligatory).

To refute the foregoing opinion, we can say that Qiyas between women who are menstruating or having postpartum period and Junub persons is invalid because menstruation and postpartum periods are long and thus it may be difficult for ladies during any one of these periods to stop reciting the Qur'an or that they may forget many of the Qur'anic texts that they have memorized. The period of Janabah however, is short, and unlike a menstruating woman or she who is having postpartum period, a junub person can immediately perform Ghusl then recite Qur'an. Accordingly, the most proper of the two opinions of scholars is that which states the permissibility for menstruating women or those who are in postpartum period to recite what they have memorized from the Qur'an. It is permissible for them to recite Ayat­ul­Kursy when they go to bed. Moreover, it is permissible for them to recite by heart whatever they like from the Qur'an at any time. This is the most proper opinion and the original ruling and thus when `Aishah menstruated during the Farewell Hajj, the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed her saying: Do what all the pilgrims do except that you do not perform the Tawaf 'circumambulation' round the Ka'ba till you are purified and he (peace be upon him) did not forbid her to

recite Qur'an.

Since it is known that Muhrims (pilgrims in the ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah) recite Qur'an, the Prophet's instruction to `Aishah mentioned above implies that he (peace be upon him) allowed her to recite Qur'an (while menstruating). This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade her to do Tawaf for this is similar to Salah (Prayer) and a menstruating woman does not perform Salah. This is an indication that she was not forbidden to recite Qur'an for had this been the case, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have made this clear to `Aishah and other women both on the occasion of the Farewell Hajj and in other occasions.

Moreover, it is admitted that in almost every house there is a menstruating woman or one who is in postpartum period and thus had the ruling been that they are not allowed to recite Qur'an, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have made it clear generally for all people so that the ruling is well­known to every body. There are clear texts that a Junub person is not allowed to recite Qur'an. This is because Janabah does not last for long and a person can immediately perform Ghusl and recite Qur'an. It was the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he used to continue making Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) at all times. Only when he (peace be upon him) was Junub, would he stop reciting Qur'an until he (peace be upon him) had performed Ghusl. `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: There was nothing to hinder the Prophet (peace be upon him) from (reciting) Qur'an except being in the state of Janabah. Finally, it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited Qur'an after defecating and said: "This is permissible for whoever is not in Janabah. A person who is Junub is allowed to recite Qur'an or even one Ayah (Qur'anic verse) of it." This is proof that a Junub person is

not allowed to recite Qur'an until they perform Ghusl.