Is it okay to leave Quranic Arabic audio playing in the background?

Sources

• ✓ 7:204 · Al-A'raaf

  7:204 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  وَإِذَا قُرِئَ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥ وَأَنصِتُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

  And when the Qur'an is recited, give ear to it and pay heed, that ye may obtain mercy.

• ✓ Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 7:204

  Sunni

  Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 7:204

  When Allah mentions that the Qur'an is a source of insight, guidance, and mercy for people, He commands that they listen attentively when it is recited, showing reverence and respect for it. This is not like the attitude of the disbelievers of Quraysh, who said, as Allah says: "Do not listen to this Qur'an but ignore it, so that you may overcome" (Qur'an 41:26). Rather, this command of attentive listening is especially emphasized during the obligatory prayers when the imam recites aloud. This is supported by the hadith narrated by Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, who reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The imam is appointed to be followed: when he says Takbir, you say Takbir, and when he recites, be silent and listen." This hadith was collected by Muslim in his Sahih and also appears in other collections with chains authenticated by scholars like Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. Ibrahim ibn Muslim al-Hijri narrated from Abu Ubaidah from Abu Hurairah that people used to talk during prayer. When this verse "And when the Qur'an is recited, listen to it and be silent..."[7:204] was revealed along with similar verses, they were commanded to refrain from speaking and to listen quietly. Ibn Jarir relates that Ibn Mas'ud said that during prayer they used to greet one another aloud until this verse came, commanding them to listen quietly when the Qur'an is recited in prayer. It was also reported that when Ibn Mas'ud heard some people reciting aloud along with the imam, after prayer he reproached them, reminding them that Allah ordered attentive listening and silence. Similarly, al-Zuhri reported that this verse was revealed about a young Ansari who used to recite when the Prophet recited. This command was to encourage attentiveness during the recitation. Other reports from Abu Hurairah tell how the Prophet (peace be upon him) questioned if anyone recited aloud with him when he recited aloud in prayer, for he disliked competing with the Qur'an’s recitation during the prayer and prohibited others from doing so. The scholars relate that the proper etiquette during congregational prayer, especially when the imam recites aloud, is that the followers listen attentively and do not recite aloud behind him. This is to maintain order and respect for the Qur'an. Abdullah ibn Mubarak narrates that when the imam recites aloud, the congregation should not recite aloud behind him but can recite silently during quietly read portions, like in silent prayers. This is considered the correct conduct. There are differing scholarly opinions: Some hold that the follower's recitation behind the imam in aloud prayers is not required and even discouraged, aligning with the early school's practice including Imam Malik and one opinion of Imam Shafi'i. Others, including Abu Hanifa and Ahmad ibn Hanbal, hold that no recitation by the follower is required at all either aloud or silently, relying on hadith affirming that the imam’s recitation suffices for the congregation. This topic is treated in depth elsewhere, for example by Imam al-Bukhari who favored obliging the followers’ recitation silently or aloud behind the imam. Ali ibn Abi Talhah reported from Ibn Abbas that this verse refers specifically to the audible prayers, and this is supported by other narrations from Companions. Ibn Jarir also recorded an incident where two men spoke during prayer, and upon rebuke, they explained this command applies during the prayer to maintaining silence and listening attentively. Sufyan al-Thawri and Mujahid also confirm the context is the prayer. Abd al-Razzaq records that Mujahid allowed talking outside of prayer. Several other early scholars such as Sa'id ibn Jubayr and others agree the command applies during the prayer. Some narrations extend this command of silence and attentiveness to the Friday sermon (khutbah) and other similar contexts. Moreover, it’s reported that during certain verses that bring fear or mercy, it is disliked to speak behind the imam, emphasizing silence. Mubarak ibn Fadala narrated from al-Hasan that one should be silent upon sitting before the Qur'an. Ahmad ibn Hanbal recorded from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said: "Whoever listens to a single verse from Allah's Book receives double reward, and whoever follows it will have a light on the Day of Resurrection." This hadith emphasizes the virtue of listening attentively to Qur'anic recitation. In sum, the verse commands respect and attention when the Qur'an is being recited, especially in congregational prayer, forbidding speaking or distraction, highlighting the dignity and importance of the Book and its guidance.