Is It Permissible to Listen to the Quran at Work to Avoid Unnecessary Conversation with Male Customers?

Question: Salam wa alakium, I work in a place where men do come and shop, sometimes I find myself excessively speaking to them, may Allah forgive us all, I’d like to put on airpods and play qur’an as a reminder to myself during my shift, however, when customers come in I may be unable to pause the qur’an, is this permissible as I know we are meant to pay attention to qur’an when it is being played. If this is not permissible what are some suggestions that can help prevent me from getting distracted. JazakAllahu Khairun.

Summary:

There is no harm in a Muslim listening to the Quran while working, provided this does not result in disrespect toward the Quran or being so distracted from it that the purpose of listening is lost. However, if the nature of the work requires frequent conversation with customers and repeated interruptions, then it is better not to play the Quran in such a situation. Instead, it may be replaced with something that does not involve this concern, such as recorded adhkar or beneficial lectures when possible. As for avoiding unnecessary conversation with customers, this is achieved by lowering the gaze, limiting speech to what is necessary, maintaining awareness that Allah is watching, keeping the heart occupied with remembrance of Allah, and avoiding seclusion and speaking in a soft or alluring manner.

Answer:

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his Companions, and those who follow them.

Listening to the Quran is one of the greatest acts of worship. However, it should be accompanied by the reverence and etiquette befitting the Speech of Allah.

If one's work requires serving customers, responding to them, and engaging in frequent conversation, then playing the Quran in such a situation is not the preferred course of action. This is because the purpose of listening to the Quran is reflection and benefiting from it, not merely having it play as background audio while one's attention is occupied elsewhere.

From the Qur'an:

(Surah Al-A'raf :204)
"And when the Quran is recited, then listen to it attentively and remain silent, so that you may receive mercy."

The scholars differed regarding the general application of this verse. Most of them held that it was revealed concerning the prayer, while others understood it to apply generally whenever the Quran is recited. However, they all agreed that honoring and respecting the Quran is required. For this reason, it is not recommended to play the Quran in a place where a person knows that they will remain distracted from it most of the time.

From the Scholars:

Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz رحمه الله said:
What is legislated for the believer when hearing the Quran is to listen attentively. If the Quran is being recited, then listen, pay attention, and benefit. Do not engage in conversation while the Quran is being recited. Allah, Glorified and Exalted, says: "And when the Quran is recited, then listen to it attentively and remain silent" [Surah Al-A'raf: 204]. The believer should strive for this good and be eager to attain it. Whether he hears the recitation from the radio, from a Quran broadcast, or from someone reciting in a gathering, those present should listen, benefit, and not occupy themselves with idle talk.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymin رحمه الله said:
My view is that if there is no intention to listen to the Quran, then the recorder should not be turned on. If a person wishes to listen to the recorder, then he should listen attentively; otherwise, he should turn it off. As for the Book of Allah being recited while someone is occupied with sweeping, cooking, or attending to household tasks, then there is no doubt that this reflects heedlessness toward the Book of Allah, and it is feared that it resembles the conduct of the disbelievers who said: "Do not listen to this Quran, and make noise during its recitation so that you may overcome it." (Surah Fussilat, 41:26)
He رحمه الله also said:
"If a person needs to speak, then he should not turn on the radio or recorder with Quran recitation. The Quran is too great for people to be talking while neglecting it. Either listen to it, or turn it off."

How Can You Avoid Unnecessary Conversation with Men? The following are some practical means: -Be mindful that Allah is always watching, and remember that speaking with non-mahram men should be limited to what is necessary. Restrict your speech to what is required for buying and selling, without opening the door to side conversations or joking. -Lower your gaze as much as possible, in accordance with the saying of Allah, the Exalted: "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze..." (Surah An-Nur, 24:31) -Do not speak in a soft or alluring manner. Allah, the Exalted, says: "Then do not be soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should become desirous." (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:32) -Increase your remembrance of Allah silently during work, such as saying Subhan Allah, seeking forgiveness, and sending prayers upon the Prophet ﷺ. This keeps the heart occupied and helps guard the tongue. -If possible, listen to the Quran during times when customer interaction is minimal, such as during breaks or while travelling to and from work, so that the purpose of listening and reflecting can be fulfilled. If you feel the need to listen to something while working, then beneficial Islamic lectures, reminders, or recorded adhkar may be more appropriate than playing the Quran if frequent interruptions are expected. Conclusion: It is preferable not to play the Quran while working if it is likely that you will frequently be occupied with speaking to customers and will be unable to listen attentively, out of reverence for the Speech of Allah. Rather, it is better to set aside a time in which a Muslim can listen to the Quran properly with reflection and attentiveness. During interactions with men, one should limit speech to what is necessary, lower the gaze, guard the tongue, increase the remembrance of Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness and chastity. Indeed, He is the Best Protector and the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.

And Allah knows best.

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Is It Permissible to Listen to the Quran at Work to Avoid Unnecessary Conversation with Male Customers?

Summary:

From the Qur'an:

From the Scholars:

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