nor in Yemen, Iraq, Egypt, Khorasan, or the Maghreb. Rather, the listening for which they gathered was listening to the Quran. This was what the Companions, whether from Ahl al-Suffa or otherwise, gathered to hear. When the Companions of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, assembled, they would ask one of them to recite while the rest listened. It has been reported:

“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came out to Ahl al-Suffa while someone among them was reciting, and he sat with them.”

ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb would say to Abū Mūsā, “Abū Mūsā, remind us of our Lord,” whereupon he would recite while they listened. This was what stirred their spiritual emotions and toward which their hearts’ aspirations were directed.

As for anyone who relates that they had a singer who chanted devotional poems about setting hearts aright; or that, when he recited certain poems, they displayed ecstasy in response; or that they tore their clothes; or that someone recited to them:

Love’s serpent has stung my heart;
No physician or reciter of healing charms can cure it,
Except the physician with whom I am enamored:
With him are my healing charm and antidote.

Or that, when the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Indeed, the poor will enter