Is it fard, wajib or sunnah to listen to the Quran according to Hanafi, Shafii and other madhhabs?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Acting upon verse 204 of the chapter of al-Araf, Hanafi scholars are of the opinion that the command mentioned in the verse is valid both in prayer (salah) and sermon as well as outside prayer.

According to the Hanafi scholars who hold this view, listening to the Quran is wajib. If there is a person who is learning fiqh in a place and someone recites the Quran there and he cannot listen to it because of being busy, the reciter will be sinful. (al-Bahrur-Raiq- shamila- 3/372)

However, there are different opinions in Hanafi madhhab as to whether this listening (as wajib) is fard al-ayn or fard al-kifaya. The soundest view is that it is fard al-kifaya. That is, if there are some people listening to the reciter of the Quran, it is enough for the fulfillment of wajib.

Besides, it is not fard to listen to the Quran being recited on a computer, tape recorder, radio, etc. without a live broadcast. However, one gets thawab when he listens. (see Elmalılı Hamdi, Hak Dini, the interpretation of al-A’raf, verse 204)

All madhhabs except Hanafis, including Shafiis, are of the opinion that it is sunnah to listen to the Quran that is recited. According to them, the relevant verse of the chapter of al-A’raf is not related to recitation outside of prayer.

The basis of these scholars (the majority) is some sound hadith narrations that the verse in question is related to recitation in prayer and during the sermon. (See Tabari, Razi, Ibn Kathir, the interpretation of the verse in question)

However, it is very important when one is present at a place where the Quran is being recited to listen to it as a sign of respect unless he is busy with something necessary.

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