Moreover, it may be said that this stirring toward the truth may occur only in someone who did not intend to listen, but happened to hear something suited to his state—like a favorable omen encountered by someone setting out on an errand. As for someone who deliberately listens to it and sings it, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“He is not one of us who does not recite the Quran melodiously.”

Abū al-Qāsim said: “Jaʿfar ibn Nasīr related that al-Junayd said: ‘Mercy descends upon the poor on three occasions: when listening, for their listening is prompted only by truth, and they rise only in spiritual ecstasy; when eating, for they eat only out of need; and when discussing knowledge, for they speak only of the qualities of Allah’s friends.’”

Immediately afterward, he said: “I heard Muhammad ibn al-Husayn say: ‘I heard al-Husayn ibn Ahmad ibn Jaʿfar say: “I heard al-Junayd say: ‘Listening is a trial for whoever seeks it out, and a relief for whoever encounters it by chance.’”’”

He then related: “I heard Muhammad ibn al-Husayn say: ‘I heard ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muhammad ibn ʿAbd al-Rahmān al-Rāzī say: “I heard al-Junayd say: ‘If you see a disciple who loves listening, know that some vestige of idleness remains in him.’”’”