judgment—as with someone who is alarmed merely by frightening, terrifying sounds or by sounds that provoke anger.

Abū al-Qāsim said: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Allah has never listened to anything as He listens to a prophet reciting the Quran melodiously.” He also narrated the hadith of Abū Hurayrah, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Allah has never listened to anything as He listens to a prophet reciting the Quran melodiously.”

He said: It is related that when David, peace be upon him, recited the Psalms, jinn, humans, wild animals, and birds would listen to his recitation. Four hundred bodies would be carried away from his gathering—those who had died upon hearing his recitation. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī, “He has indeed been given a flute from among the flutes of the family of David.” It was also said