Shaikh Fawzan hafidhuhallah was asked:

Question: I spend some long hours cooking and that is to prepare the food for my husband. I am eager to benefit in this time, so I listen to the Noble Quran whether on the radio or tape. So is my action correct or is it not necessary for me to do this action because Allah the Exalted said:

وَإِذَا قُرِىءَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُواْ لَهُ وَأَنصِتُواْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

So, when the Quran is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy. [i.e. during the compulsory congregational prayers when the Imam (of a mosque) is leading the prayer (except Surat Al-Fatiha), and also when he is delivering the Friday-prayer Khutbah]. [Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol.9, Pages 162-4]

Answer: “All praise is due to Allah. There is no harm to listen to the Noble Quran through the radio or recording and a person is working. And that does not contradict the His statement:

وَإِذَا قُرِىءَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُواْ لَهُ وَأَنصِتُواْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

So, when the Quran is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy. [i.e. during the compulsory congregational prayers when the Imam (of a mosque) is leading the prayer (except Surat Al-Fatiha), and also when he is delivering the Friday-prayer Khutbah]. [Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol.9, Pages 162-4]

because the silence that is desired is according to the ability and the one who is busy is silent for the Quran in accordance to his ability”.

[Mu’alifaat al-Fawzan (7/103)]

Translated by

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan