AlMujtaba Islamic Articles > Holy Quran
 

THE HOLY QURAN – PART 11 - ETIQUETTES FOR THE LISTENERS

 

Listening to the recitation of the Holy Quran is also a highly recommended act. It is an act that carries a lot of rewards.

 

The Holy Prophet (saww) has said, “Whoever listens to one verse of the Holy Quran, it is better for him than ‘Thabeer’ of gold and ‘Thabeer’ is the great mountain in Yemen”. (Bihar al-Anwaar)

 

He (saww) has also said, “Whoever listens to one verse from the Book of Allah, a reward of multiplying good deed shall be written for him; and whoever recites one verse from the Book of Allah, it will serve him as NOOR (light) on the Day of Judgement”. (Kanzul-‘Ummaal)

 

However, there is some etiquette that has to be observed by a listener as mentioned in the Quran itself.

 

“When the Quran is being recited, listen to it and be silent, may be you will receive (Allah’s) mercy”. (7:204)

 

There are two interpretations of the above verse. Both are valid and have to be observed.

 

One interpretation is that when Quran is being recited, one must observe absolute silence and listen to its verses attentively.

 

Zurarah asked Imam Ja’ffar Ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (as), “When a person is reciting Quran, is it obligatory to observe silence and listen to its recitation?” Imam (as) replied, “Yes! When Quran is being recited to you (near you), it is compulsory upon you to listen to it and be silent”.

                                                                                   (Bihar al-Anwaar)

 

Some people have the tendency of being disrespectful towards the Holy Quran when it is being recited. They either talk or create unnecessary commotions. Most of our Muslim scholars are of the opinion that when Quran is being recited at a place and one feels that by his entrance into such place will create commotion and distraction then one should wait until the recitation is finished. Likewise, it is improper that when Quran is recited, people should greet each other loudly thereby causing disrespect to the words of Allah (SWT).

 

 

The other interpretation is to remain silent and listen to the recitation of the Surahs (chapters) of the Holy Quran during Fajr, Maghrib and ‘Isha congregational prayers.

 

According to Shia’h Fiqh, In Salaatul-Jama’ah (congregational prayers) the recitation of the two Surahs in the first two Rak’aat is done only by the Imam. In Fajr and Maghribayn prayers, when the Imam is reciting the Surahs loudly, the followers cannot even whisper the same. They must remain silent and listen to the Imam’s recitation. In Dhuhrayn prayers, when the Imam is reciting the Surahs silently, again the followers cannot recite the Surahs but perform any Dhikr.

 

All the Maraje’ (Mujtahideen), including Ayatullah Sayyid Ali al-Seestani have stated in their Risalah: It is necessary for the follower (Mamoon) to recite all the things of the prayers himself, except Suratul-Hamd and any other Surah.

 

They also state: The follower should not recite Suratul-Hamd and Surah in the first and second Rak’aat of Dhuhr and ‘Asr prayers and it is Mustahab (recommended) that instead of them, he should recite Dhikr.

 

 

Partly, this ruling has been derived from the verse stated above and the verse that follows and reads:

 

“And remember your Lord within your heart beseechingly and reverentially, without being loud, morning and evening, and do not be among the heedless”. (7:205)

 

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) has said, “Verily Allah is telling the believers: ‘And when Quran is being recited’ meaning in obligatory prayers behind an Imam, ‘listen to it attentively and remain silent’.

                                                                                  (Bihar al-Anwaar)

 

 

 

Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff

mulla@almahdi.org.uk


Source: http://www.almahdi.org.uk