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-A'raf, Hanafi scholars hold the view that the command in that verse is valid both in prayer, khutbah (sermon) as well as outside prayer.

According to Hanafi scholars who hold this view, it is wajib to listen to the Quran. If somebody reads the Quran in a place where a person studies fiqh and if that person cannot listen due to his occupation, the person who reads the Quran is regarded to have committed a sin. (al-Bahrur-Raiq- Shamila- 3/372)

However, there are different views in Hanafi madhhab whether this listening is fard al-ayn or fard al-kifaya. According to the soundest view, it is fard al-kifaya. That is, if there are some people who listen to the person who is reading the Quran, that is enough for the fulfilment of wajib.

Besides, it is not fard to listen to the Quran from a computer, tape recorder, radio, etc. However, one receives thawabs if he listens. (see Elmalılı Hamdi, Hak Dini, the interpretation of al-A'raf, 204)

All madhhabs other than Hanafis including Shafiis hold the view that it is sunnah to listen to the Quran. According to them, the verse in question in the chapter of al-Araf is not valid for the reading outside the prayer.

The evidence of those scholars (the majority) is some sound hadith narrations stating that the verse in question is about the Quran read in prayer and khutbah. (see Tabari, Razi, Ibn Kathir, the interpretation of the verse in question)

However, it is important to listen to the Quran in a place where it is read in terms of showing respect – unless a person is busy with doing something necessary.

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