Q 2: Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to recite the Qur'an without touching the Mus-haf (copy of the Qur'an)?

A: It is permissible for the menstruating woman to recite the Qur'an by heart without touching the Mus-haf directly, if she wants to recite the Qur'an so that she does not forget it. This does not apply to a Junub (person in a state of post-sexual ritual impurity) who is not permitted to recite the Qur'an from the Mus-haf or by heart until they perform Janabah Ghusl (full ritual bath to cleanse of sexual discharge). It was authentically reported about the Prophet (peace be upon him) that nothing would prevent him from (reciting) the Qur'an except being in a state of Janabah (major ritual impurity related to sexual discharge). (Related by Imam Ahmad and Ahl-ul-Sunan) In another narration recorded by Ahmad on the authority of `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him) with a good Isnad (chain of narrators) the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited some Ayahs of the Qur'an and then said, 'This is allowed to a person who is not in a state of Janabah, but the one who is in a state of Janabah is not allowed to recite even one Ayah. As for the Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade a menstruating woman from reciting the Qur'an, it is a Da`if (weak) Hadith.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.