Etiquette of Listening to the Quran
Allah – Glory be to Him – revealed the Holy Quran as a guide for us to navigate the right path. He has commanded us to recite, listen to, reflect upon, and act according to its teachings, promising rewards for these actions. Additionally, He has warned us against neglecting it and provided guidelines for its recitation and listening. As stated in the verse: (And when the Quran is recited, listen to it and pay attention, that you may receive mercy.)
In his interpretation, Al-Sa’di distinguishes between listening and being attentive: “Being attentive, in essence, means refraining from speaking or engaging in distractions while listening. However, listening involves focusing one’s hearing, engaging the heart, and contemplating what is being heard.” Below are outlined the key etiquettes for listening to the Holy Quran.
Heartfelt Presence
A listener of the Holy Quran should engage their heart during the listening experience to grasp the meanings of what they hear. Allah praises those who listen to the Quran and regards this as a reason for their mercy. Conversely, He disparages those who turn away, as mentioned in the verse: (And they said, if we had but listened or understood, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.)
It is particularly important for the one following the Imam in a congregational prayer to listen attentively during recitations. It is also recommended for listeners to engage in supplication when the verses call for it, to recite praises when indicated, and to seek refuge when the verses address punishment. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would respond accordingly, saying: (When he came across a verse of glorification, he would glorify, when he encountered a supplication, he would ask, and when he came to a verse of refuge, he would seek refuge.)
Listening can be categorized into three types: hearing that acknowledges, hearing that understands, and hearing that accepts and responds. The first type is auditory; the second indicates a lack of awareness among heedless individuals, whom Allah describes in the Quran as deaf and mute. The third type, exclusive to those close to Allah, encompasses all forms of auditory engagement.
Reflection
Allah commands us to reflect on the Quran, as stated in the verse: (A Book We have sent down to you, blessed, that they may mediate upon its verses and that those of understanding may be reminded.) Reflection, or pondering, involves contemplating the implications of something and considering its outcomes. Allah likens those who fail to reflect on the Holy Quran to someone who places a lock on their heart.
It is important to differentiate between reflection and mere emotional response to Quranic recitation. While some may perceive feelings of awe or tears of fear as reflection, this view is misconstrued. Reflection is a mental process aimed at understanding a verse, whereas emotional responses stem from the heart’s impact or the circumstances of the listener at the moment.
Prostration during Recitation
Scholarly opinions regarding the prostration of recitation for listeners vary, with positions ranging from obligation to recommendation. The prevailing view is that it is a Sunnah (recommended practice). Furthermore, scholars have offered four perspectives on the status of prostration for those who listen without the intent to do so, including obligation, recommendation, preference, and lack of validation, with inclination towards it being a Sunnah for such listeners as well.
The act of prostration signifies submission to Allah – Glory be to Him – and applies outside of prayer. In congregational prayers, the follower should emulate the Imam: if the Imam prostrates during recitation, the follower should also prostrate; if the Imam refrains from prostration, so should the follower.
Respect and Reverence for the Quran
Demonstrating respect for the Quran entails adhering to the etiquettes of listening as much as possible. Neglecting these etiquettes may lead to abandoning Sunnahs, which could result in overlooking obligatory acts and eventually engaging in prohibitions. Therefore, it is essential for the listener to honor the recitation of the Holy Quran and remove distractions, such as laughter, idle talk, and tempting sights, to fully engage with the listening experience.