Can You Read the Quran in the Bathroom?

The sacredness of the Quran

The Quran is the best book that mankind has ever known, because it is the Word of the Lord of the Universe, which was brought down by the trustworthy Spirit [i.e., Jibril] to the heart of the noble Messenger, to bring mankind forth from darkness into light, and guide them to the straight path. 

It is the Book whose miracle abides, the proof of which is constantly renewed; Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it, (it is) sent down by the All Wise, Worthy of all praise (Allah) [cf. Fussilat 41:42]

Is it permissible to read the Quran in the bathroom?

There are kinds of etiquette that have to do with this Book, to which attention should be paid when reciting it. One of these rules is that the place where it is recited should be clean. In his valuable book At-Tibyan, Imam An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned some of the etiquette which the Muslim should pay attention to when reciting the Book of Allah. He mentioned the issue of reciting Quran in bathrooms and toilets , and he quoted the views of scholars on this matter. He said:

“It is recommended to recite the Quran in a place that is clean and suitable. Hence a number of scholars regarded it as recommended to read the Quran in the mosque because it is both clean and a honourable environment… With regard to reciting the Quran in the bathroom, the Salaf differed as to whether it is disliked. Our companions – i.e., the Shafi`is – said that it is not disliked. This was quoted by Abu Bakr ibn Al-Mundhir in Al-Ishraf from Ibrahim An-Nakh`i and Malik, and it is the view of `Ata’.

Some regarded it as disliked, such as `Ali ibn Abع Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). This was narrated from him by Ibn Abi Dawud.

Ibn Al-Mundhir narrated from a group of the Successors of the Companions – including Abu Wa’il Shaqiq ibn Salamah, Al-Shu`bi, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Mak-hul, Qubaysah ibn Dhu’ayb, and from Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on them all) that Al-Shu`bi said: it is disliked to recite Quran in three places: bathrooms, toilets …. It was narrated that Abu Maysarah said: Allah should not be remembered except in good (clean) places.”

Is it permissible to remember Allah in the bathroom?

Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: 

Is it permissible to remember Allah (Dhikr) in the bathroom?

He replied:

A person should not remember his Lord inside the bathroom , because this place is not appropriate for that. If he remembers Him in his heart there is nothing wrong with that, but he should not utter the words out loud. It is better not to speak the words out loud in this place, and to wait until he has come out of it.

With regard to places for doing Wudu that are outside the toilets where one relieves oneself, there is nothing wrong with remembering Allah there. (Majmu` Fatawa Ibn `Uthaymin, 11/109)

For more details, please see the following answers: 20996 , 108477 , 2564 .

And Allah knows best.