2 Islamic articles on: Listening to the Quran

IslamQA: Listening to the Quran as a replacement for music

Is it allowed if I listen to Quran as a replacement of music? Listening to it while playing games or doing homework etc…

The Quran commands us to be attentive when the Quran is recited, so it doesn’t seem proper to me to play it when you cannot give it full attention.

When the Quran is recited, listen to it, and pay attention, so that you may experience mercy. (The Quran, verse 7:204)

Follow up question:

salaam, in regards to the anon who asked if it’s ok to listen to the Quran while doing h/w. isn’t it better for us to have the Quran than music? Scientifically even what we listen to has an overall effect on us and it is said that a Quran is a healing. Just further wondering? Jazak khair Allah

Alaikumassalam wa rahmatullah,

I understand your point, but the Quran is not like music. It has its own requirements as the verse I quoted said. If you do something like gardening where you can focus on the recitation, then there is no issue. But if you cannot give it attention then it seems improper to me, and the many fatwas I have looked at all agree with my opinion.

You can of course listen to nasheeds, they are great for remembering God while you are busy.

IslamQA: Is there a reward for listening to the Quran without understanding?

unfortunately i don’t speak Arabic. I have memorized a few surahs (used in salah) and duroods but otherwise read the Quran in english. If I do things like play youtube videos of duas and surahs in Arabic is there still Sawab?

There are no Quranic verses or hadiths that directly deal with your question, but according to a Saudi fatwa a person will be rewarded for listening to the Quran even if they do not understand it. I would say that if a person sacrifices their time to listen to such things in order to feel closer to God then they will be rewarded for this sacrifice.

References