Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
Listening to the Quran, even without understanding Arabic, is permissible and rewarding. However, complete distraction or ignoring the recitation is discouraged, as respect and attentiveness are essential. Scholars emphasize avoiding laughter, idle talk, or noisy environments during recitation.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
Listening to the Quran on your phone, radio, or recorder is a virtuous act, and you can earn rewards while working if you try to listen as best as possible. However, getting so caught up in your tasks that you can’t pay attention at all to it amounts to disrespecting the Quran.
Imam An-Nawawi emphasized respecting the Quran and advised against laughing, chatting, or having unnecessary conversations during recitation. As Allah commands, {When the Quran is recited, listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.} (Al-A`raf 7:204)
Similarly, Ibn `Aqil warned against reciting the Quran in noisy places like bustling marketplaces, where the noise hinders proper listening and shows a lack of reverence.
Therefore, you can listen to the Quran while working as long as you stay attentive within your capacity. However, reciting or playing the Quran while completely distracted goes against proper etiquette. If you are free to listen, do so with focus. If you are too preoccupied, it is better not to turn it on. However, using the Quran to support permissible activities, like falling asleep, is acceptable if you can still listen to it.
The Quran is a source of mercy, healing, tranquility, and a cause for angelic presence. So, listening to it while engaging in tasks that do not entirely prevent attentiveness can enhance your work and bring blessings.
In conclusion, listening to the Quran, whether for work or relaxation, is a commendable practice as long as you show proper respect and attentiveness.
👉 Explore more rulings on Quran etiquette and daily practices:
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Almighty Allah knows best.