Why Is Listening to the Quran Important?
Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa
Question
What is the importance of listening to the Quran?
Answer
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.
Fulfilling Allah’s Command
One of the most important aspects of listening to the Quran is that it fulfills Allah’s command, as He says:
“When the Quran is recited, listen to it attentively and be silent, so you may be shown mercy.” [Quran, 7:204]
The intended meaning of listening in this verse is to reflect and ponder over the words of Allah (Most High). Listening can occur while being silent or speaking in a manner that does not prevent the speaker from understanding what is being heard. Therefore, Allah (Most High) emphasized this by commanding silence, which means not speaking. As indicated by this verse, listening to the Quran is an independent act of worship for which a Muslim deserves reward.
The Impact of the Quran on Disbelievers
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was keen on having the disbelievers listen to the Quran due to its profound impact on their souls, enticing them to learn the truth through hearing it. The disbelievers were aware of the powerful influence of the Quran, which is why they advised each other not to listen to it, fearing its captivating eloquence and compelling effect. They even encouraged making noise to drown out the Quran’s recitation and throwing doubts and falsehoods. Allah (Most High) says:
“The disbelievers advised (one another), ‘Do not listen to this Quran but drown it out so that you may prevail.’” [Quran, 41:26]
When the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) would recite the Quran aloud, they would disperse and refuse to listen; some would create a disturbance, and others would cover themselves with their garments to avoid hearing it. Their condition is described by Allah (Most High):
“Indeed, they enfold (what is in) their hearts, (trying) to hide it from Him! But even when they cover themselves with their clothes, He knows what they conceal and what they reveal. Surely He knows best what is (hidden) in the heart.” [Quran, 11:5]
Christians Moved by the Quran
The Quran informs us that the Christians listened to it and were moved by it, leading them to believe in the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and enter Islam after recognizing the truth. Allah (Most High) says:
“You will surely find the most bitter towards the believers to be the Jews and polytheists and the most gracious to be those who call themselves Christian. That is because there are priests and monks among them and because they are not arrogant. When they listen to what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears for recognizing the truth. They say,
‘Our Lord! We believe, so count us among the witnesses. Why should we not believe in Allah and the truth that has come to us? And we long for our Lord to include us in the company of the righteous.’
So Allah will reward them for what they said with Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there forever. And that is the reward of the good-doers.” [Quran, 5:82-85]
Ja‘far Ibn Abi Talib and the Negus
During the first migration to Abyssinia, there was an incident involving Ja‘far Ibn Abi Talib and the Negus, the king of Abyssinia. The Negus asked Ja‘far, “Do you have anything with you of what Allah has brought?” Ja‘far replied, “Yes.” The Negus then asked him to recite it. Ja’far recited from Surat Maryam, and Umm Salama narrated that the Negus wept until his beard was wet, and his bishops wept until their scrolls were soaked when they heard the recitation. The Negus then said,
“Indeed, this and what Jesus brought come from the same source. You two may go, for I will never hand them over to you” (referring to Amr Ibn al-‘As and Abdullah). [Ibn Hisham, Sira Ibn Hisham]
Jinn Listening to the Quran
The Quran also mentions the jinn listening to it and being affected by it. Allah (Most High) says:
“Say, (O Prophet,) ‘It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened (to the Quran,) and said (to their fellow jinn): “Indeed, we have heard a wondrous recitation. It leads to Right Guidance, so we believed in it, and we will never associate anyone with our Lord (in worship).”’” [Quran, 72:1-2]
He also says:
“(Remember, O Prophet,) when We sent a group of jinn your way to listen to the Quran. Then, upon hearing it, they said (to one another), ‘Listen quietly!’ Then when it was over, they returned to their fellow jinn as warners. They declared, ‘O our fellow jinn! We have truly heard a scripture revealed after Moses, confirming what came before it. It guides to the truth and the Straight Way. O, our fellow jinn! Respond to the caller of Allah and believe in him, He will forgive your sins and protect you from a painful punishment.’” [Quran, 46:29-31]
Animals Affected by the Quran
Even animals were affected by listening to the Quran. Bara’ (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
“While a man from among the companions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was reciting, and there was a horse tied in the house, it began to jump. He looked and saw nothing, but it continued to jump. When he mentioned this to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) in the morning, he said, ‘It was the tranquility descending because of the recitation of the Quran.’” [Bukhari]
Usayd Ibn Hudayr’s Incident with the Horse
Usayd Ibn Hudayr (Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
“While he was reciting Surat al-Baqara at night, and his horse was tied beside him, the horse suddenly began to jump. When he stopped reciting, the horse calmed down. When he resumed, the horse started jumping again. When he stopped reciting, the horse calmed down, and when he resumed, the horse started jumping again.
So he stopped, and his son Yahya was beside the horse; he was afraid that it might trample him. When he lifted him up, he looked towards the sky and saw something like a cloud with lights resembling lamps. The cloud ascended into the sky until he could no longer see it. In the morning, he informed the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), who said,
‘Recite, O Ibn Hudayr, recite, O Ibn Hudayr!’ He replied, ‘I was afraid, O Messenger of Allah, that it might trample Yahya as he was near it. So I lifted my head and went to him. When I raised my head to the sky, I saw something like a cloud with lamps. So I left and looked towards it until I could no longer see it.’ The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) then said, ‘Do you know what that was?’ He replied, ‘No.’ The Prophet said, ‘Those were angels who came near to your voice. If you had continued reciting, the people would have seen them in the morning, and they would not have concealed themselves from them.’” [Ibid.]
Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari’s Beautiful Recitation
Another incident highlighting the importance of listening to the Quran involves the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) passing by Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari one night while Abu Musa was reciting the Quran in his house. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and ‘Aisha stood listening to his recitation. When they left, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) told Abu Musa the next morning:
“O Abu Musa, if you could have seen me last night, I was listening to your recitation. You have been given a voice like the voices of the family of David.” Abu Musa replied, “If I had known you were listening, I would have made it more beautiful for you.” [Bayhaqi, al-Sunan al-Kubra]
The term “mizmar” here refers to a pleasant voice, likened to the musical instrument played by blowing into it. It signifies the beauty and sweetness of Abu Musa’s recitation. [‘Iraqi, Tarh al-Tathrib]
The Prophet (Allah Bless Him and Give Him Peace) Listening to Ibn Mas‘ud
Ibn Mas‘ud (Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to me,
‘Recite the Quran to me.’ I said, ‘Shall I recite it to you when it has been revealed to you?’ He said, ‘I love to hear it from someone else.’ So I recited Surat al-Nisa until I reached the verse: ‘So how will it be when We bring a witness from every faith-community and bring you (O Prophet) as a witness against yours?’ [Quran, 4:41]. Then he said, ‘Stop,’ and I saw his eyes overflowing with tears.” [Bukhari]
Hanafi School on Listening to the Quran
According to the Hanafi school of thought, listening to the Quran is a communal obligation (fard kifaya). This is to uphold its respect by being attentive and not neglecting it. This obligation is fulfilled if some people listen attentively, similar to how responding to a greeting can suffice for the community.
However, the reciter must not read it in places of distraction like markets; if he does, he disrespects its sanctity, and the sin is on him, not on those engaged in their activities. The Hanafis also dislike making dua or seeking forgiveness while the Quran is being recited, as well as anything that distracts from listening, such as returning greetings or responding to a sneeze, as it violates the obligation of listening. [Tahtawi, Hashiyat al-Tahtawi; Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Suyuti, al-Itqan]
Important Note
The fundamental principle is that reading the Quran is better than listening to it, but this varies depending on the listener’s and reader’s circumstances. Listening can be better than reading if the listener benefits more from listening than from reading.
Regardless, attentiveness and listening when the Quran is being recited are etiquettes that every Muslim should observe towards the Quran, which is the word of Allah. Hasan Basri said: “When you sit to the Quran, be attentive and listen to it.” [Ibn Abi Hatim, Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim; Ibn Kathir, Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
Advice
I hope what has been mentioned serves as a deterrent to those who raise their voices in expressions of admiration when listening to the Quran as if they were listening to a singer, indicating that they do not comprehend what they hear, neither understanding it nor being affected by it. And we seek Allah’s help.
I advise you to listen to the Quran to seek guidance and desire what is with Allah and to ponder it with your mind and heart, as there is a strong connection between listening and pondering. May Allah make us and you among those who listen to the Quran and follow the best of it.
May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa
Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.
He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.
He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.
Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.
