Question 4: The ruling on turning on a recorder with Qur’an recitation and then becoming distracted from listening to it.

Question 4: If a recorder is playing the Noble Qur’an while some of those present are not listening because they are engaged in conversation, what is the ruling on their failure to listen? Does sin fall on any of those present, or only on the one who switched on the recorder?

Answer: The ruling differs according to the type of gathering in which the recorded Qur’an is being played. If the gathering is one of learning, remembrance, or Qur’an recitation, then in that situation attentive listening is obligatory. Whoever does not do so is sinful, for he is acting in opposition to Allah’s words: “When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it attentively and remain silent so that you may receive mercy” (al-A‘rāf 7:204).