rivers, abiding therein forever. How excellent is the reward of those who do good!”
[Sūrah Āl ʿImrān 133–136]

As for the statement, “Whoever understands the allusive meaning may lawfully listen for the lesson it conveys,” it has already been explained that this allusive meaning consists in drawing lessons and analogies: the meaning expressed in the words is taken as a parable for a true meaning suited to the listener’s state. Hence his statement, “Its inward meaning is a lesson.”

One may reply to him: Granted that lessons can be drawn from it, on what grounds do you claim that everything from which a person can draw a lesson is lawful for him? Lessons may also be drawn from forbidden things that one hears or sees. Is anyone therefore entitled to seek a lesson by deliberately looking at the concealed adornment of a woman who is not his mahram, or by deliberately listening to the words of those who mock Allah’s signs, or by engaging in other unlawful acts?

Abū al-Qāsim said: “It has been said that listening is sound only for someone whose soul is dead and whose heart is alive: his soul has been slain by the swords of spiritual striving, while his heart lives by the light of witnessing.” This distinction is of the same kind as those already discussed.