Where are we not allowed to read the Quran?

[AntiKarateKid]

I would really like to start reading it more but am not sure if I am allowed to read it in some places like the train, in an office, after class, etc.

So can anyone help me find the guidelines for reading it? I'm itching to read it more but need help with this first!

['Abd-al Latif]

The question shouldn't be where are we allowed to read Qur'an, it should be asked Where are we not allowed to read Qur'an.

From IslamQA:

Reciting Qur’aan in the bathroom

Question:
Is it permissible to recite the holy quran while in the toilet?( without taking the book itself in).

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah. The Qur’aan 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., Jibreel] 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 (Allaah) [cf. Fussilat 41:42]

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 al-Tibyaan, Imam al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) mentioned some of the etiquette which the Muslim should pay attention to when reciting the Book of Allaah. He mentioned the issue of reciting Qur’aan in bathrooms and toilets, and he quoted the views of scholars on this matter. He said:

“It is mustahabb to recite Qur’aan in a place that is clean and suitable. Hence a number of scholars regarded it as mustahabb to read Qur’aan in the mosque because it is both clean and a honourable environment… With regard to reciting Qur’aan in the bathroom, the salaf differed as to whether it is makrooh. Our companions – i.e., the Shaafa’is – said that it is not makrooh. This was quoted by Abu Bakr ibn al-Mundhir in al-Ishraaf from Ibraaheem al-Nakha’i and Maalik, and it is the view of ‘Ata’.

Some regarded it as makrooh, such as ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him). This was narrated from him by Ibn Abi Dawood.

Ibn al-Mundhir narrated from a group of the Taabi’een – including Abu Waa’il Shaqeeq ibn Salamah, al-Shu’bi, al-Hasan al-Basri, Makhool, Qubaysah ibn Dhu’ayb, and from Abu Haneefah (may Allaah be pleased with them all) that al-Shu’bi said: it is makrooh to recite Qur’aan in three places: bathrooms, toilets …. It was narrated that Abu Maysarah said: Allaah should not be remembered except in good (clean) places.”

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:

Is it permissible to remember Allaah (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 wudoo’ that are outside the toilets where one relieves oneself, there is nothing wrong with remembering Allaah there.

Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 11/109.


Islam Q&A

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/20620

There are other places but at the moment I need to go to the Masjid for Duhr, so insha'Allah elobrate more when I come back.

['Abd-al Latif]

Here is more material and this one is important:

The times when it is permissible to recite Qur’aan

Question:
Can Suratul-Fatihah be recited at any time? I heard that it can only be recited at certain times only, like salaat or as prescribed by the Prophet (May Allaah's peace and blessings be upon him) for specific needs. If it is the latter, could you list the proper times to recite it?

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

It is permissible for you to recite Qur’aan, or any soorah from it, at any time and in any situation, except when you are in a state of janaabah (impurity following sexual activity), in which case it is haraam to recite Qur’aan, because of the hadeeth of ‘Ali who said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite Qur’aan to us in all situations so long as he was not in a state of janaabah.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, al-Tahaarah, 136. al-Tirmidhi said: this hadeeth of ‘Ali is hasan saheeh). This was also the view of the scholars among the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the Taabi’een. They said a man may recite Qur’aan without wudoo’ but he should not read from the Mus-haf unless he is taahir (pure, i.e., has wudoo’). This was the view of Sufyaan al-Thawri, al-Shaafa’i, Ahmad and Ishaaq.

See Da’eef Sunan al-Tirmidhi by al-Albaani, hadeeth no. 22

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: The imams are agreed that it is haraam to recite Qur’aan when in a state of janaabah.

It is not proper etiquette to recite Qur’aan when one is in a state of janaabah because it is the words of Allaah which must be respected and venerated, and kept away from all unclean places and places where haraam things take place, which could dishonour it and show disrespect towards its sanctity. Moreover the person who is in a state of janaabah can remove the impurity whenever he wants, so he is not allowed to recite Qur’aan. But if you are impure in the sense of minor impurity then it is permissible for you to recite only, without touching the Mus-haf. See question no. 10672. With regard to women when they are menstruating or bleeding following childbirth, see question no. 2564. And Allaah knows best.

See Tawdeeh Ahkaam al-Nisa’, 1/309.
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/10984