Do we receive thawabs when we listen to the meaning (translation) of the Quran? Can we listen to the meaning of the Quran without wudu?

You say it is sunnah and more appropriate to make wudu and turn toward the qiblah while reading or listening to the Quran in Arabic. I do not know Arabic and I want to learn what the Quran says. I listen to its English meaning (translation). Do I have to make wudu when I read the English translation of the Quran or listen to the MP3s of the English translation of the Quran? What should I do? Is what I do appropriate?

Dear Brother / Sister,

You definitely receive thawabs when you read the meaning (translation) of the Quran. However, the thawab of reading the Quran in its original form is different from reading its translation. 

Even a very small deed done in the way of Allah will definitely be rewarded. Furthermore, reading the Quran, which is one of the biggest things in the universe, will definitely be rewarded. Since only looking at the Quran gains man thawabs, reading the meaning of the Quran will definitely gain him thawabs.

However, there is a difference between reading the Quran in Arabic (its original language) and its meaning. What is essential is to learn reading the Quran in Arabic and learn its meaning from its translation. However, no translation can replace the original Quran; therefore, the translation of the Quran cannot be read in prayers. We have to read the Quran in its original language in prayers. The word of Allah is the one in Arabic.  Its place and thawab are different. Each letter of it gains man lots of thawabs.  

It is not permissible to touch the Quran without wudu. However, if a person does not have wudu, he can read the Quran by looking at it but without touching it or can read it by heart and can listen to it from MP3 player.

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