Is it permissible for a person to listen to the Qur'an while occupied with eating?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, what is the ruling on one who listens to the Qur'an while eating, whether at home or in the car?
The Shaykh : While he is eating?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : There is no blame on a person listening to the Qur'an while occupied with eating, because that does not prevent him from listening. However, if the work requires the presence of the heart and mind and distracts him from listening to the Qur'an, it is better that he not listen. For example, if he is working in a profession, such as repairing a car or fixing things that require the mind to be focused on the work, then we say it is better that he not listen to the Qur'an, because in that case he is heedless of it.
The questioner : What about lectures, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Lectures on what?
The questioner : Lectures on knowledge or the like?
The Shaykh : And he is reading, you mean?
The questioner : No, he is eating or drinking and listening.
The Shaykh : There is nothing wrong with it; there is no obstacle. Matters other than the Qur'an are lighter in status.
The Shaykh : While he is eating?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : There is no blame on a person listening to the Qur'an while occupied with eating, because that does not prevent him from listening. However, if the work requires the presence of the heart and mind and distracts him from listening to the Qur'an, it is better that he not listen. For example, if he is working in a profession, such as repairing a car or fixing things that require the mind to be focused on the work, then we say it is better that he not listen to the Qur'an, because in that case he is heedless of it.
The questioner : What about lectures, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Lectures on what?
The questioner : Lectures on knowledge or the like?
The Shaykh : And he is reading, you mean?
The questioner : No, he is eating or drinking and listening.
The Shaykh : There is nothing wrong with it; there is no obstacle. Matters other than the Qur'an are lighter in status.