Q&A

Completing (Khatm) the Qur’an via Phone or Mushaf

Muslims are keen to read and memorize the Qur’an because it carries immense reward and virtue. This diligence increases during Ramadan, as many strive to complete (khatm) the Qur’an and earn its reward. There are various ways to read the Qur’an: a printed Mushaf or a smartphone. But is it permissible to complete the Qur’an via a phone, and does it carry the same reward as completing it from the Mushaf?

Answer:

Completing the Qur’an via a phone is legally permissible in Islam and carries no harm. This has been confirmed by institutions such as Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta and many prominent scholars. Reasons include:

• Original permissibility: Everything is allowed unless explicitly prohibited.
• No textual prohibition: There is no explicit Islamic text forbidding reading the Qur’an from a phone or other electronic devices.
• Analogy to Mushaf reading: Reading from a phone can be equated to reading from a Mushaf; if it is permissible to complete from a Mushaf, it is also permissible from a phone.
• Consensus among contemporary scholars: Modern scholars agree that completing the Qur’an from a phone is permissible.

However, reading from a Mushaf has certain advantages:

• Reverence and humility: The Mushaf represents the sanctity and unique layout of the Qur’an, helping the reader show reverence and humility.
• Reflection on meanings: Reading from a Mushaf facilitates understanding, contemplation, and reflection on the Qur’an’s secrets.
• Memorization: Reading from a Mushaf helps the Qur’an remain more firmly in memory because of the connection to the written text.

Reading from a phone is particularly suitable when:

• A Mushaf is not accessible (e.g., while traveling or in places without a Mushaf).
• The reader has vision difficulties, as phone text can be enlarged.
• The reader wants to facilitate memorization, as phone apps provide repetition and listening features.

Conclusion:

Completing the Qur’an is a blessing from Allah, whether from a Mushaf or a phone. What matters is reading it with reflection, understanding its meanings, and adhering to its teachings.