Ruling on reciting Qur’an whilst giving a child his bath

It is permissible to recite Qur’anwhilst giving a child his bath, unless you are washing him in a bathroom wherethere is a toilet, in which case it is haraam,whether it is done in a low voice or a loud voice, because the Qur’an is theword of Allah and it should be respected and honoured.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy onhim) was asked: What is the ruling on reciting Qur’an in the bathroom?

He replied: It is not permissible to reciteQur’an in the bathroom, because that is a place for relieving oneself. As forplaces for doing wudoo’, there is nothing wrong withreciting Qur’an there, but in places where one relieves oneself – the toilet –it is not permissible.

End quote from Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 29/31

But if you are giving your baby his bathin a place where one does not go to relieve oneself, then there is nothingwrong with reciting Qur’an whilst giving him his bath, even if that is whilstremoving impurities (najaasah), because there isnothing to indicate that it is not allowed. But it is better not to reciteQur’an in that situation, because what is required of the one who recitesQur’an is that he should recite it with deliberation and pondering the meaning,which is the greater purpose behind reciting Qur’an.

An-Nawawi (mayAllah have mercy on him) said: When a person starts to recite Qur’an, he shouldbe in a humble frame of mind, focusing on and pondering the meaning. This iswhat is required and is the purpose of it; in this way minds are put at restand hearts are illuminated. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation ofthe meaning):

“(This is) a Book (the Qur’aan) which We have sent downto you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its Verses”

[Saad 38:29]

“Do they not then consider the Qur’aan carefully?”

[an-Nisa’ 4:82].

And there are many hadeethswhich speak of that.

End quote from Sharhal-Muhadhdhab, 2/190

He (may Allah have mercy on him) alsosaid:

It is not makroohto recite Qur’an when walking in the street, so long as one is not distracted

End quote from Sharhal-Muhadhdhab, 2/189

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah havemercy on him) said: The purpose behind reciting Qur’an is, as well as it beingan act of worship, to understand its meanings so that one will be better ableto act upon it. It is for this purpose that this blessed Qur’an was revealed.Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“(This is) a Book (the Qur’aan) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings,that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding mayremember”

[Saad 38:29].

As that is the case, the one who readsor recites Qur’an should focus properly on what he is reading or reciting, andhe should ponder its meanings and not let his heart or physical faculties bedistracted by anything else, such as housework or other activities. As Allahhas commanded the one who hears the Qur’an to listen to it and be silent sothat he can focus and ponder the meanings of what he is hearing, then thisapplies even more to the one who reads or recites it.

End quote from FataawaNoor ‘ala ad-Darb.

And Allah knows best.