An arising question during this day and age, that may be asked by many Muslims: Can I read the Holy Quran lying down? Some people may think that asking these kinds of questions is a kind of intellectual luxury.
But in reality, these questions, from the other side, show positive aspects such as the eagerness of the Muslim to implement the teachings and precepts of their religion in a correct way. It also shows Muslim’s respect and appreciation towards the Holy Quran, the message of Allah to all mankind.
In this article we will cast some light on the legal ruling about the possibility of reading the Holy Quran while lying down. Keep reading. Go no further.
Can I Read the Quran Lying Down?
In fact, lying down while reading the Holy Quran is lawful. Nothing wrong or haram about it. Some people prefer to read the Holy Quran while they are lying down because in this position, they are able to read more pages than they are in a sitting position, but they often hear prohibitive phrases such as,”Don’t do that, it is Haram”.
So we offer them this article to be able to respond to those who prevent them from doing this.
It is certainly that the best kind of reading, at all, is reading the Holy Quran. It is the best of remembrance for Allah. Nothing is mentioned in the Holy Quran or the prophetic reports (Sunnah Nabawiyah) prevents or prohibits reading or reciting the Holy Quran while someone is lying down whether they are on their left side or on their right side or on their back.
Islamic Evidence for the Permissibility of Reading the Quran While Lying Down
In the following lines, we’ll review the lawful evidences and the legal justifications about the admissibility of reading the Holy Quran while lying down as shown below:-
1. Prophet Mohammed Read the Holy Quran Lying Down
Our Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) has recited the Holy Quran in all body positions, even when he was placing his head on his wife’s lap while she was in her menstruation period.
In Sahih al-Bukhari, Aishah narrated: “The messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) used to lean on my lap and recite Quran while I was in menses”. Sahih al-Bukhari Book 6, Number 296:
2. Righteous Servants Remember Allah on their Sides.
“Those who remember God while standing and sitting, and on their sides; and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: “Our Lord, you did not create this in vain, glory to You, so protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
Surah Ali-Imran, Verse No 191.
“الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ”
The word “remember” that was mentioned in the above Quranic verse indicates the broad concept of each remembrance for Allah the Highest, including the prayer, repentance and reciting of the Holy Quran. Accordingly, reading the Holy Quran while lying down is a lawful and permissible act. Visit the page of Shaykhi Academy’s Islamic Studies Online Course for more details about this point.
3. Remember Allah in All Body Postures
“When you have completed the prayer, remember God, standing, or sitting, or on your sides. And when you feel secure, perform the prayer. The prayer is obligatory for believers at specific times” An-Nisa, Verse No 103.
“فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا اطْمَأْنَنْتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ ۚ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَوْقُوتًا.”
The above-mentioned Quranic verse encourages keeping mentioning Allah in all one’s body positions, whether they are standing up, resting, or lying down on their sides because the remembrance of Allah, the most exalted, is a constant worship, in which souls become spiritual and hearts feel safe and comfortable.
☆ Based on what has been stated above, there is nothing wrong when someone recites the holy Quran while they are lying down.
The Etiquette of Reciting the Holy Quran While Lying Down
There are etiquettes for reading the Holy Quran in general and special in case of reading it while lying down. It is a kind of obligations and ethics that should be committed before and during reading it, in the following lines, we will present some of these etiquettes and ethics as follows:
1. Lying on Stomach Is Prohibited
We should note that lying on one’s tummy is not permitted or lawful. It is prohibited.
It was narrated that Abu Dharr said: “The Prophet(ﷺ) passed by me and I was lying on my stomach. He nudged me with his foot and said: ‘O Junaidib! This is how the people of Hell lie.” Grade Sahih. Sunan Ibn Majah. Book 33, Hadith 68.
Based on what has been stated above, every Muslim should be aware of the danger of lying down on their stomach while they are reading the Holy Quran.
2. Covering the Private Parts of the Body is a Must
Covering the nakedness of a Muslimah’s body is a necessity. Her private parts shall not be uncovered. Also, the loins and the upper parts of the legs of a Muslim male should not be uncovered.
3. Cleansing
According to some Islamic linguistic terms, you may be encountered by some linguistic expressions and terms such as “The major impurity and the minor impurity.” The first term means menstruation, sexual intercourse (Janabah), and puerperium; this is the major impurity. Whereas the minor impurity means urination, bowel movements, defecating or taking a whiz. In both cases, it is a must for those who are going to read the Holy Quran to be cleaned and purified from the major impurities (perform Ghusl). And it is a must to perform wudu in the case of minor impurity.
4. Using the Toothbrush (Sewak) Before Reading
Cleaning the mouth and deodorizing it with a fragrant smell is a desirable act before reading the holy Quran. Visit the page of Shaykhi Academy’s Islamic Studies Online Course for more details about this point.
5. Facing Qiblah
It is better to face the Qiblah direction, “Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca”, before starting to read the Holy Quran whether you are lying down or sitting because it is the most honorable direction.
6. Asking Refuge from Satan
Before starting to read the Holy Quran, say, “I seek refuge in Allah from the Cursed Satan. Then start with al-Bismillah, “in the name of God the Merciful, the Munificent.”
7- Sound Chanting
When someone reads the Holy, he or she must recite the Quran reverently, with a beautiful voice. They should observe the rules of the recitation.
8. Avoiding Slackness
Those who read the Holy Quran while they are lying down should be active and attentive. They should avoid laziness, slackness and carelessness.
9. Recall Respect and Humility
It is better for those who recite the Holy Quran lying down to approach Allah’s glorious book with good manners and humility, showing great respect. It is also better to avoid any disrespectful or arrogant manners.
Read more about: Can You Recite the Quran Without Wudu?
The Best Times for Reading the Holy Quran While Lying Down
There are preferable times for you to read specific verses of the Quran while you are lying down. We will review them as explored below.
1. In Bedtime, Before Sleeping
It is strongly recommended for each Muslim and Muslimah when they go to bed to read the following: Verse number 255 from Surah al-Baqarah. It is called Ayat Al-Kursi. Additionally, they can also read the last two verses of the same surah (al-Baqarah).
2. Waking-up Time
It is strongly recommended for each Muslim and Muslimah when they wake up but are still lying in bed to read the following surahs: al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, and an-Nas.
3. In times of Illness
Reading the Holy Quran is a favorite spiritual care when someone is lying down ill. It becomes the recognizable choice in times of illness when patience and stability of sound hearts are needed.
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Conclusion
The sum up is that reading the Holy Quran while lying down is permissible on condition of some general precautions. It is not banned or haram to recite the Holy Quran while lying down.
A steadfast grasp of the answers to any arising questions or inquiries makes each Muslim and Muslimah stand on solid ground and form sound Islamic beliefs and habits. It guards them from any intellectual claims as well.
