WhatsApp Quraan groups
Q: I’ve recently received a message saying that Quraan reading groups are not permissible in Islaam.
About 2 years ago I asked a few of my female relatives and friends if they’d like to join me in a Quraan group. We each get 2 weeks to read a para. If someone cannot manage that week we wait for them or assist them. If people find that they no longer want to be on the group they are welcome to enter and leave freely. This is purely administrated in Whatsapp and not together in person.
We have all come together with the sole purpose of reading Quraan more regularly for the pleasure of Allah and nothing else. The group acts more as a reminder to read Quraan and not forcing people to read as it is entirely up to each member.
As the group started many members found it helpful as the reminders assisted them in making time in their daily lives where as some people had previously not read Quraan throughout the year except for Ramadaan.
Being part of the group has helped me and many others form love for reading Quraan regularly.
Please advise if it will be possible for us to continue reading our para every 2 weeks as a group with these reminders. If we need to make any changes to how we run the group then that can be done إن شاء الله Our intention is solely for the pleasure of Allah.
A: Ibaadat should be done with complete sincerity and devotion for Allah Ta'ala. One should not feel compelled and forced to carry out any ibaadat. Generally, in these types of groups one feels forced to comply with that which the group has decided so that he will not be viewed as the odd one out from the entire group. Apart from this, there is the fear of the element of show as each participant wishes to show the others his spirit of dedication and commitment. In the case where any participant does not complete his juz, he feels ashamed to inform the others as he might be ridiculed or looked down at. This will perhaps even lead him to speak a lie to cover his shame. All this goes against the very spirit of ibaadat. The dictates of nafl ibaadat is that it should be done out of one's free will and choice, with complete sincerity and devotion, and without any restrictions and conditions. Though the intention to start off these groups may be good and each one wishes to motivate the other to do good deeds, on account of these wrongs that this type of arrangement leads to, these types of groups are discouraged. Each person should individually recite as much Qur'aan as he can manage.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Checked & Approved:
