Al-A'raaf (The Heights)

204. “And when the Qur’ān is recited, then listen to it and be silent, so that mercy may be shown to you.”

The Islamic jurisprudents do not give decree upon the act of keeping silence to be absolutely obligatory, except in prayer. This verse emphasizes that when the Qur’ān is being recited, from the point of courtesy, the audience ought to keep silence and listen to the recitation of the verses.

It happened that Hazrat Ali (as) was establishing prayers and a hypocrite began reciting the Qur’ān loudly. Ali (as) kept silence and after that he continued reciting the rest of the Surah.

The Arabic term /’insāt/ philologically means to be silent in order to listen.

Thus, the Qur’ān, which is a means of insight and mercy, should be politely listened to when it is being recited. The verse says:

“And when the Qur’ān is recited, then listen to it and be silent…”

The sound of the recitation of the Qur’ān should pass through the ears and affects on the heart (mind). In this case the person may be shown the divine mercy to. The verse concludes as follows:

“…so that mercy may be shown to you.”