locks upon them?”

Allah Most High said:

“A blessed Book which We have sent down to you, so that they may reflect upon its verses.”

Just as He praised this listening, He condemned those who turn away from it. Allah Most High said:

“When Our verses are recited to him, he turns away arrogantly, as though he had not heard them, as though there were deafness in his ears.”

Allah Most High said:

“Those who disbelieve say, ‘Do not listen to this Quran, and make noise during its recitation, so that you may prevail.’”

Allah Most High said:

“The Messenger said, ‘My Lord, my people have indeed abandoned this Quran.’ Thus We have appointed for every prophet an enemy from among the criminals. But your Lord is sufficient as a guide and helper.”

Allah Most High said:

“So the intercession of the intercessors will not benefit them. What is the matter with them that they turn away from the Reminder, as though they were startled wild donkeys fleeing from a lion?”

Allah Most High said:

“They say, ‘Our hearts are veiled against what you call us to, there is deafness in our ears, and between us and you there is a barrier.’”

Allah Most High said:

“When you recite the Quran, We place a hidden barrier between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter. And We place coverings over their hearts, preventing them from understanding it, and deafness in their ears.”

This is the listening that Allah has prescribed for His servants in the dawn, sunset, and night prayers, and on other occasions.

The Companions of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to gather for this listening. When they gathered, they would ask one of their number to recite while the rest listened. ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say to Abū Mūsā: