Fatwā

QUESTION

Is it permissible to recite Quran while lying down? I have heard that Imām al-Nawawī said that it is allowed, but that seems a bit off to me as we are supposed to have great respect for the Quran. I understand it to be that if you shouldn’t eat while lying down, you shouldn’t recite the Quran while lying down either. Can you please help me understand the truth of the matter?

ANSWER

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Imām al-Nawawī makes mention of this in his Tibyān. He bases this off of a number of reports from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his illustrious companions (RA). The Prophet is reported to have had the practice of waking up during the night, wiping his face and thereafter reciting the final verses of the third chapter of the Quran, starting from:

﴿ إن في خلق السموت والأرض واختلف الليل والنهار لآيت لأولي الألباب ﴾ 

It is of interest that among the verses read by the Prophet ﷺ after waking from slumber is the verse, “Those who remember Allah when upright, when sitting, and when reclining on their sides…”. Herein lies an indication that reciting Quran too forms part of remembrance that is praised in this verse. 

وﷲ تعالى أعلم

And Allah knows best

Y Karaan
DUAI Fatwa Department