The Difference Between Religiously Prescribed and Innovated Listening
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98 — The Difference Between Religiously Prescribed and Innovated Listening

The discussion has already addressed the innovated forms of listening that some people have introduced into remembrance and supplication, and their worship of Allah by making metrical chants and poems into regular litanies. This has caused them grievous harm, corrupted their course, and turned them away from the sound remembrance and proper supplication conveyed in the guidance of the chief of the prophets and messengers, our Prophet Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace.

Every Muslim must distinguish between listening that benefits him in the religion established by the revealed law of the Lord of all worlds and the innovated forms of listening that some people have devised and invented in accordance with their own desires.

As for the listening that Allah Most High has prescribed for His servants, and for which the early generations of the Muslim community—the Companions, the Followers, and their followers—would gather to rectify their hearts and purify their souls, it is listening to the verses of Allah Most High. This is the listening of the prophets, the believers, and the people of knowledge. After mentioning those prophets whom He mentioned, Allah Most High said: “Those are the ones upon whom Allah bestowed His favor from among the prophets: from the descendants of Adam; from those whom We carried with Noah; from the descendants of Abraham and Israel; and from those whom We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell down in prostration and weeping.” 1 Allah Most High also said: “The believers are only those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, whose faith increases when His verses are recited to them, and who place their trust in their Lord.” 2 Allah Most High also said: “Indeed, those who were given knowledge from