A question concerning the Noble Qur'an. The questioner asks: Is it permissible for a person to listen to recitation from the radio?

The questioner : In the name of Allah, we begin this session with a message received from the listener Abdullah al-Arabi from Egypt. Brother Abdullah has a set of questions. His first question concerns the Noble Book of Allah. The first part asks: Is it permissible for a person to listen to recitation from the radio or otherwise, for example while driving a car? Is it permissible to listen to the Qur'an while lying down? And is there any obligation on him if he falls asleep during it while the reciter is reciting?

The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. Listening to the Book of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, is an act of worship, for Allah the Exalted commanded it, saying: This act of worship, which is listening to the Book of Allah, came in the Book of Allah in an absolute form, not restricted to one state over another. Therefore, it is permissible for a person to listen to the Book of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, whether he is standing, sitting, or lying down. It is also permissible to listen to the Book of Allah while working, provided that the work does not distract him from listening. If the work distracts him from listening, which is the case when the work requires thought, then he should not listen to it. This applies when the matter is in his hand and under his choice, such as listening to the Qur'an from a recording tape. In that case, we tell him: if you are occupied with work that occupies your heart, it is better not to turn on the recorder to listen, because in this state you cannot devote yourself to your work while also devoting yourself to the words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic. However, it appears to me that listening to the Qur'an while driving a car is possible, because driving does not occupy a person much, especially on highways where a person does not fear an accident or a mistake to the right or left. The rule is that whenever you are able to listen to the Book of Allah in a way that you pay attention to it and benefit from what you hear, then listen to it in whatever state you are in, whether standing, sitting, or lying down, due to the generality of the saying of Allah the Exalted: As for when you cannot do so because your heart is occupied with what you are engaged in, it is not good to listen to it, because Allah the Exalted says: Yes.

The questioner : May Allah bless you.