Question
Is it Makruh (disliked) not to cover one’s head when reciting the Qur’an?
Answer
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
It is better for one to cover one’s head when reciting the Quran or listening to it, since covering the head is considered an expression of reverence.
However, if one fails to do so, there is no sin neither is it disliked (makruh). The renowned Hanafi jurist of recent times in the Subcontinent, Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) was questioned in his Fatawa-collection titled Imdad al-Fatawa whether it is somewhat disliked (makruh tanzih) to recite the Qur’an with the head uncovered, and he replied in the negative. (See: Imdad al-Fatawa 4/38)
Indeed, if a woman is in the presence of non-Mahram men or non-Muslim women, she will have to cover her head.
Mufti Ebrahim Desai