#696: Ruling on reciting the Qurʿān in a way that disturbs Others

QUESTION

“Assalamu alaikum. .Pls is it allowed to perform cos of worship in a way that disturbs others, such as reading Quran aloud at night, claiming that even the disbelievers that listen might be benefitted and so on?”

ANSWER:

Wa Alaykum Salām Warahmatullāh Wabarakātuh

Alhamdulillāh

This act is unambiguously wrong and must be avoided by a Muslim who believes in Allāh and the Last Day.

It is a confirmed and agreed upon Precept in Islām that no avoidable harm or disturbance should be brought upon another person by virtue of whatever you do or is doing.

It has been recorded by Imām Mālik and Imām Ahmad that once the Rasūl -salallāhu alayhi wasallam – came out of his home to the Masjid one night and met the Companions raising their voices with the Recitation of the Qur’ān while in Salāt. He said to them:

“Each one of you is communicating with his Lord. Let not then any of you raise his voice with the Qur’ān over the other.”

In another Wording of same Hadīth, He – salallāhu Alayhi Wasallam – said:

“Let not one of you disturb the other, and let not some of you raise voices with Recitation over the other.”

This was recorded by Imām Ahmad, Abū Dāwud and An-Nasa’ī from Abū Sa’īd Al-Khudry.

If this is the case with raising the voice with the Recitation while in Salāt, then while outside Salāt is more emphasized as recitation made during Salāt is made by way of Obligation while that done outside is made by way of voluntary.

Then, if it is not permissible for you to raise your voice carelessly so as to not disturb others on a thing that is obligatory upon you, why then will that he permissible on what was not Obligatory upon you in the first place.

Please note that this Ruling is not restricted to night time or day time, it is a generic ruling.

Allāh dislike that we harm or disturb others whether with Ibādah or other than it of our worldly things.

As for saying that the disbelievers may also benefit from a Recitation that is disturbing others, this is also a violation of the rights of neighbors and may lead to an insulting of the Dīn by the Kuffār in a way that is preventable and unwarranted.

We ask Allāh for His guidance and endless blessings.

Bārakallāhu Fīkum
Jazākumullāhu Khayran.

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