Imam Al-Qurtubi mentioned in his Tafsir that Ibn Abbas reported that Abu Jahl once said, “When Muhammad recites, make noise in his face so that he does not know what he is saying.” Then Allah revealed His words: “And those who disbelieve say, ‘Do not listen to this Quran and speak noisily during [the recitation of] it that perhaps you will overcome.’” (Fussilat: 26). Mujahid said the meaning of this is to cause noise through clapping, shouting, and confusion, making the recitation mere noise. Al-Dhahhak said: Increase your speech so that what he says becomes mixed up (1). This is evidence of the disbelievers’ eagerness to divert people from listening to the Quran.
This has always been the practice of the enemies of Islam, both in the past and in the present. They strive to create distractions and occupy people away from the Quran, turning their attention to temptations that divert them from it. Listening to the Quran has great benefits and virtues, as outlined below:
First: Responding to Allah’s Command
Allah says: “So when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.” (Al-A'raf: 204). This means to listen attentively so that you may understand its verses and take heed of its lessons (2). Allah has described the servants of the Most Merciful as those who do not turn away from the Quran when it is recited to them. Rather, they listen to it, heed it, and are guided by its teachings, as Allah says: “And those who, when reminded of the verses of their Lord, do not fall upon them deaf and blind.” (Al-Furqan: 73). Allah has also described the people of knowledge as those who listen to the Quran and are moved by it, as He says: “And [it is] a Quran which We have separated [by intervals] that you might recite it to the people over a prolonged period. And We have sent it down progressively. Say, ‘Believe in it or do not believe. Indeed, those who were given knowledge before it, when it is recited to them, they fall upon their faces in prostration, and they say, ‘Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, the promise of our Lord has been fulfilled.’ And they fall upon their faces weeping, and it increases them in humble submission.’” (Al-Isra: 106-109).
Second: Following the Example of the Prophet
The Prophet ﷺ used to listen to the Quran and expressed his love for it. In the Sahihayn (Bukhari and Muslim), Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him, “If you were to see me, as I was listening to your recitation (of the Qur'an) yester-night (you would have felt delighted). You are in fact endowed with a sweet voice like that of David himself.” He replied, “Had I known you were listening, I would have beautified it for you even more.”
Imam Ahmad reported in his Musnad that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the mosque one night while he was between Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), and he heard Ibn Mas'ud reciting Surah An-Nisa. When he reached the end of the hundredth verse, the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever would like to recite the Qur'an fresh as it was revealed, let him recite it according to the recitation of Ibn Umm 'Abd,” referring to Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud.
In Sahih Bukhari, Abdullah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said to him, “Recite the Quran to me.” He replied, “Shall I recite it to you while it has been revealed to you?” The Prophet ﷺ said, “I like to hear it from others.” Ibn Battal commented, saying that it is possible that the Prophet ﷺ preferred to hear it from someone else so that it would be a Sunnah to review the Quran. Another possible reason is that it allowed him to reflect and ponder over it, as the listener is more focused and free to reflect, unlike the reciter, who is occupied with the act of reading and its rulings (3).
Third: Guidance to the Straight Path
Allah has emphasized that the Quran guides to the most upright path, as He says: “Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable.” (Al-Isra: 9). Allah also says: “So give good tidings to My servants who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding.” (Az-Zumar: 17-18). The Quran further clarifies that when the jinn listened to the Quran, they declared that it guides to the straight path, as Allah says: “And [mention, O Muhammad], when We directed to you a few of the jinn, listening to the Quran. And when they attended it, they said, ‘Listen quietly.’ And when it was concluded, they went back to their people as warners. They said, ‘O our people, indeed we have heard a [recited] Book revealed after Moses confirming what was before it; it guides to the truth and to a straight path.’” (Al-Ahqaf: 29-30).
Some modern studies have confirmed that listening to the Quran guides the mind, heart, and body to goodness, alleviating diseases and improving behavior. Allah says: “And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.” (Al-Isra: 82).
Fourth: Receiving Allah’s Mercy
Allah explains that listening to the Quran brings His mercy and makes the servant deserving of it, as He says: “So when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.” (Al-A'raf: 204).
Fifth: Purification and Tranquility of the Heart
Reciting and listening to the Quran softens and calms the heart. Allah says: “Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray - for him there is no guide.” (Az-Zumar: 23). Allah also says: “And those who disbelieve say, ‘Why was the Quran not revealed to him all at once?’ Thus [it is] that We may strengthen thereby your heart. And We have spaced it distinctly.” (Al-Furqan: 32).
Listening to the Quran brings humility to the heart, as Allah says: “If We had sent down this Quran upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.” (Al-Hashr: 21). Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “If your hearts were pure, you would never have enough of the words of Allah, the Almighty.” (4)
Sixth: Earning Multiplied Rewards
Imam Ahmad reported in his Musnad that Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever listens to a verse from the Book of Allah, a multiplied reward is written for him. Whoever recites a verse from the Book of Allah, they will have a light on the Day of Resurrection.”
Seventh: Increase in Faith
Listening to the Quran contributes to an increase in faith, as Allah says: “The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith.” (Al-Anfal: 2). This is because they listen attentively and bring their hearts to reflect on it. As a result, their faith increases (5).
Eighth: A Means of Dawah
The Prophet ﷺ was keen that people listen to the Quran. The polytheists used to sneak away in secret to listen to the Quran from him and from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, and they were affected by it. Allah urged the believers to convey the Quran to people so they may hear it, as He says: “And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah. Then deliver him to his place of safety.” (At-Tawbah: 6).
Ninth: Protection from Being Misled by the Disbelievers
Allah describes those who do not believe in the Hereafter as turning away from listening to the Quran. Allah has diverted them and led them astray because they turned away from it, as He says: “And when you recite the Quran, We put between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a concealed partition. And We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And when you mention your Lord alone in the Quran, they turn back in aversion.” (Al-Isra: 45-46). Allah also says: “And among them are those who listen to you, but We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it.” (Al-An'am: 25). Allah describes those who turn away from listening to the Quran as deserving His wrath and punishment, as He says: "And do not be like those who say, 'We have heard,' while they do not hear. Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and dumb who do not use reason. Had Allah known any good in them, He would have made them hear. And if He had made them hear, they would still have turned away, while they were refusing." (Surah Al-Anfal: 21-23).
Tenth: Avoiding Temptations and Evil Deeds
Deliberately turning away from listening to the Qur'an and benefiting from its guidance not only leads to misguidance in this world but also results in punishment in the Hereafter, as Allah Almighty says: “Woe to every sinful liar who hears the verses of Allah recited to him, then persists arrogantly as if he had not heard them. So give him tidings of a painful punishment.” (Surah Al-Jathiyah: 7-8).
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(1) Tafsir Al-Qurtubi (15/356).
(2) The same reference (13/344).
(3) Fath Al-Bari by Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani (9/117).
(4) Fada'il Al-Sahabah by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (1/479).
(5) Tafsir Al-Sa'di (2/188).
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