Listening to Quran

Question:

Respected Sheikh, Can I listen to the Qur’ān while studying so that I am not distracted and to focus and concentrate on my studies. Is it essential for me to listen to the recitation attentively?

ANSWER:

بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

Assalamu Alykum,

When the Qur’ān is recited, it is thereby Fard to remain quiet and listen to it attentively. Just as Allāh Almighty has stated,

{وَاِذَا قُرِیَٔ الْقُرْاٰنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوۡا لَہٗ وَاَنۡصِتُوۡا لَعَلَّکُمْ تُرْحَمُوۡنَ}

{And when the Qur’ān is recited, listen to it attentively and remain silent, so that you may receive mercy}

[Sūrah al-A’rāf, 204]

Although, this is in the case when the Qur’ān is actually being recited by someone. Moreover, it is in fact also better in the case of the recorded form of the Qur’ān that one remain silent and listen to it attentively out of reverence to it, so that the respect and awe of the Holy Qur’ān remains intact. Whereas, when studying, a person’s full attention is focused on this i.e. the studying part, and thus the ears and heart will not be paying any attention at all towards the recital of the Holy Qur’ān.

Our Noble Jurists have also regarded the recitation of the Qur’ān as Makrūh [disliked] when a person is so busy and delved into something that his heart is totally engrossed in that task, such that the person is not attentive whatsoever towards the recitation.

And Allah knows Best.

Mufti Umer Farooq Saleem