Is gathering on a messaging program to read a daily page from the Quran considered an innovation (bid'ah), or is it permissible, especially given that this has encouraged some sisters to commit to reading without compulsion?

We praise Allah for the eagerness of young people to utilize modern technologies in spreading good and cooperating in righteousness and piety. The Shari'ah encourages memorizing and reciting the Quran. Contemporary scholars have differed on the ruling of establishing chat groups for memorizing and reciting the Quran:

The First Opinion: This is not permissible, and it is considered a forbidden innovation (bid'ah). They cited the following as evidence: 1. Restricting what is unrestricted in worship without a Shari'ah proof turns it from an act of worship into an additional innovation. 2. The default for dhikr is concealment, unless there is a clear benefit, out of fear of ostentation and self-admiration. 3. It is sufficient to send reminder messages without creating restrictions or obligations not found in the Shari'ah.

The Second Opinion: This is permissible. They cited the following as evidence: 1. These groups are considered means that assist in memorizing and reciting the Quran. The general rule for means is permissibility unless there is evidence to forbid them. 2. The means of memorizing the Quran are not pure, prescriptive acts of worship (ta'abbudat) that are tawqifiyyah (restricted to what is textually specified). Evidence for this is the Companions' compilation of the Quran and its division into parts.

What appears to be the most balanced approach is a middle ground between the two opinions: If the intention is ta'abbud (worship) and reciting one's daily wird (portion), then merely sending reminders is sufficient, without creating new structures or observing the tracking of others, unless the other person has the specific role of a mentor. However, if the purpose is learning, studying, and memorizing, then there is no harm in expanding the use of modern technologies.