Using Quran Apps without Wuḍūʾ

QUESTION

Is it permissible to use Quran apps without wuḍūʾ?

ANSWER

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As we all know, recitation of the Quran does not require wuḍū`. It is only touching the muṣḥaf for which one requires it. In the matter of an electronic muṣḥaf, we have to determine whether this electronic screen can be regarded as a muṣḥaf, thus sharing its ruling.

It was my late father’s opinion, Allah shower him with mercy, that the electronic Quran is not a true muṣḥaf as it is an impermanent reflection of an image. Something cannot be a muṣḥaf one moment and something else entirely the next. For this reason one does not require wuḍū` for making contact with the screen to scroll through.

Be that as it may, it is always best to take wuḍū` before reciting Quran. In this case, taking wuḍū` would be increasingly significant as it would avoid any clash with dissenting opinions on the nature of the electronic Quran.

وﷲ تعالى أعلم

And Allah knows best

Y Karaan
DUAI Fatwa Department