Fatwa ID: 07700
Answered by: Moulana Ubaidur Rahman
Question:
Assalamualikum
The verse:
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْءَانُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ، وَأَنصِتُوا
Does this only refer to listening to someone live
Or does this include listening to a recording or YouTube video
Because some people leave the recording on while cooking and just leave it in the background
Similarly some people will be playing it in their shops in the background and will be talking and to the customers.
Pls clarify the meaning of this verse.
Jazakallah Khair.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The Prophet PBUH is reported to have said in a hadeeth,
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «ما أذنَ الله لشيء ما أَذِنَ لنبي حسن الصوت يَتَغَنَّى بالقرآن يجهر به
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah does not listen as attentively to anything as He listens to a prophet with a melodious voice chanting the Qur’an audibly.”
It is against etiquette to speak while the Quraan is being recited. If the recitation is being placed in a shop conversation will inevitably occur and it is hard to avoid. Hence, it would be better and much more commendable if the recitation was not on in the sop to help avoid the recitation being disrespected like that, or not receiving the attention that it deserves and is worthy of. Alternatively, the hop could place a sign up stating that customers should observe silence while the recitation of the Quraan takes place. It is important to keep in mind that utmost resoect should be given towards the Quran so that it is treated respectfully and with high esteem at all times. That includes playing recordings in appropriate places where it receives the respect it is entitled to. This therefore includes it not being played in places where it is unlikely to receive the respect that it deserves, such as busy market places or shops.
The intended meaning of the verse
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْءَانُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ، وَأَنصِتُوا
Is to think deeply and ponder over the creation of Allah and all of Allah’s attributes and the many favours which he has bestowed on all of his servants; to ponder of the beautiful words of the Quraan. This pondering should be done either in silence or in such a hushed state that it allows the listener to consciously reflect over that which is being recited in front of them. As a result, being in crowded environments like shops, linking to the subsequent question would limit the amount of attention the listenrs;’ would be able to give the Quraan and hence the reflection would not be able to take place, or take place effectively and thoroughly.
If the recording is played during cooking, for example as alluded to in the question, that would still allow a more one to one connection with the Quraan while the activity of cooking is taking place – provided that your attention and due diligence is being shown to the Quraan whilst listenng to it and it is not surrounded by too bustling noise.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by: Maulana Ubaidur Rahman.
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah.
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
Kitaab u Fiqhil Islami, Page 538, Volume 1, Maktabatus Shaamila.
Kitaab u Akhlaaq I Ahlil Quraan, Page 135, Maktabatus Shaamila.
Kalaam ala Masalati Simaa, Page 16, Volume 1, Maktabatus Shaamila.
ولا تحرم البسملة والحمد لله والفاتحة وآية الكرسي وسورة الإخلاص بقصد الذكر
بَابُ ذِكْرِ أَخْلَاقِ مَنْ يَقْرَأُ عَلَى الْمُقْرِئِ
قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ: مَنْ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ عَلَى غَيْرِهِ وَيَتَلَقَّنُ فَيَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يُحْسِنَ الْأَدَبَ فِي جُلُوسِهِ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ , وَيَتَوَاضَعَ فِي جُلُوسِهِ , وَيَكُونَ مُقْبِلًا عَلَيْهِ , فَإِنْ ضَجِرَ عَلَيْهِ احْتَمَلَهُ , وَإِنْ زَبَرَهُ احْتَمَلَهُ وَرَفَقَ بِهِ , وَاعْتَقَدَ لَهُ الْهَيْبَةَ , وَالِاسْتِحْيَاءَ مِنْهُ , وَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يَتَلَقَّنَ مَا يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ يَضْبِطُ
وما دعا إليه الرسول – صلى الله عليه وسلم – هو حياة القلوب، ونجاة النفوس، ونور البصائر، وما يدعو (٢) إليه مخالفوه فهو موت القلوب، وهلاك النفوس، وعَمَى البصائر.
