Reading the Quran

[Surriya]

Assalamu alaikum,

Does one have to be in a state of wuzu to recite or read the Quran in Arabic or a translated version in English for example when reading from an internet website or CD ROM?

[Imam]

Allah, with His Name I begin; The Most Compassionate, The Most Merciful.

Wudu; Ritual washing/ablution is Fard; Obligatory for Salah & touching & reciting the Qur'an.

One does not need Wudu for merely reading the English translation of the Qur'an as this is a attempted translation of the Kalam; Word of Allah, which was revealed in 'Arabic.

The translation is not the Kalam Lafzi; Literal Word of Allah! It is a close interpretation of the consumate Mafhum; meaning carried in the 'Arabic Word of Allah. Allah, Most Glorious and Sublime, is Mutakallim; His Eternal attribute of Speaking/Speech. 'Arabic is His chosen language. The translation is a human attempt to interpret the meaning of the Qur'an according to one's scholarly abilities.

If the English translation of the meaning of the Qur'an or translation into any other language is complete with the 'Arabic Qur'an, then obviously one needs to have Wudu.

Also when one reads a book other than the Qur'an, which consists mainly of verses from the Qur'an, half or more, then it is imperative to be in the state of Wudu.

If one is reading the Qur'an in a book form or on a digital screen, the net, or even specific chapters/portions with the intention of Tilawah; Ritual Recital, then one needs to be in a state of Wudu.

One is excused from being in a state of Wudu when saying "Subhana Allah" when one hears some good news or see's something pleasing, or "Alhamdu lillah" after sneezing or "Bismillah [complete]" before starting a good deed or before any action for Barakah, etc, as this occurs often in a righteous Muslims daily life. And, Allah, Most Glorious & Sublime does not allow His servants to bear a burden that they cannot bear and has made the Islamic way of life easy and simple to obey.

The ruling is the same for Muslim children or adults to recite Qur'anic references in schools, colleges or work places for educational purposes.

Indeed, Allah, Most Glorious and Majestic, is All-Knowing, The Most Consumate & Wise.