Firstly, the opinion of the scholars is settled on the sanctity of the word of Allah, including remembrance, supplication, recitation of the Holy Quran, and the Prophet’s Sunnah. All of these are considered sacred and must be kept away from impure places, including bathrooms. However, bathrooms are not a singular entity as mentioned in the question. Here is an explanation of the different parts of the bathroom and their respective rulings:
1- A bathroom where one relieves themselves of urine and other bodily waste is a place where all types of remembrance are prohibited. The only acceptable form of remembrance in this type of bathroom is silent remembrance in one’s heart.
2- A shared bathroom where one relieves themselves and performs other activities has the same ruling as the previous type, leaning towards prohibition due to the emphasis on avoiding impure places.
3- A bathroom that is solely used for ghusl has its own details: If the floor of the bathroom retains remnants of the ghusl, then it is disliked to mention Allah’s name in it due to the possibility of impurities separating from the body while remaining in the place, like someone who bathes in a muddy or sandy area. However, if the floor of the bathroom has a drain that allows the used water to flow out, then it is not disliked and it is permissible to mention Allah’s name.
4- A large swimming pool is permissible for mentioning Allah’s name and reciting the Holy Quran as it is not prone to impurities. This is supported by the hadith of Abdullah ibn Umar, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If the water is two qullahs (a measurement of water), it does not carry impurities,” and in another narration: “It does not become impure.” This hadith is recorded by the four major Hadith collectors and has been authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah, al-Hakim, and Ibn Hibban.
Regarding the second part of the question, which is listening to the Quran from outside the bathroom, there is no harm in doing so as long as one does not repeat or recite what they hear word for word; merely listening is not prohibited in this case.\
Fatwa by Dr. Khālid Naṣr