Can We Listen to Quran Recitations with Ads in the Video? – Shaykh Anas al-Musa

Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa

Question

Is it permissible to listen to Quranic recitations on video recordings that have advertisements placed by the uploader?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.

Promotional advertisements for products have infiltrated all areas of life and every aspect of it. Every audio or video lecture, regardless of its content, is often interspersed with one or more commercial breaks. Many designers of beneficial Islamic programs earn their profits through these promotional advertisements that appear during the use of these programs. Among these Islamic programs are some Quranic programs uploaded to YouTube and other platforms, whose enjoyment and clarity are disrupted by such advertisements.

Khilaf al-Awla (Not Preferred)

I believe that the ruling on placing these advertisements to appear during the listening to the Quran is that it is against what is preferred (khilaf al-awla). This is because it distracts from listening attentively to the Quran, which is emphasized by Allah’s statement:

“When the Quran is recited, listen to it attentively and be silent, so you may be shown mercy.” [Quran, 7:204]

However, this is conditional on these advertisements not promoting anything prohibited, not containing improper images of men and women lacking modest clothing, and not involving any disrespect to the words of Allah or mocking what the Quran calls to. If these conditions are violated, then such advertisements become impermissible, and Muslims should avoid these programs—even if they are Islamic—as much as possible to avoid contributing to or supporting anything prohibited.

The scholars disliked reciting the Quran in marketplaces where people call out for buying and selling. [Hajjawi, al-Iqna‘]

Respect

Zarkashi mentioned the etiquettes of reading and listening to the Quran, stating:

“One should not read in filthy places, should maintain dignity and tranquility, avoid sin, and hold oneself accountable. The Quran should be evident in his demeanor and character because he is the companion of the King’s Book and is privy to His promise and warning. He should avoid reading in markets and public baths. Halimi said, and Nawawi added, that it is permissible in quiet roads where there is no distraction.” [Zarkashi, al-Burhan]

Some scholars mentioned that many actions considered acts of worship by the general public are seen as sinful by scholars, such as reading in markets where people are shouting for buying and selling, making it impossible for them to listen, thus degrading the Quran. [Buhuti, Kashshaf al-Qina‘; Zuhayli, al-Fiqh al-Islami]

Nawawi says: “Among the matters that should be carefully observed and emphasized is respecting the Quran in ways that some heedless readers might overlook when reading in groups. This includes avoiding laughter, noise, and talking during the reading, except when necessary, and adhering to Allah’s command: ‘When the Quran is recited, listen to it attentively and be silent, so you may be shown mercy.’ [Quran, 7:204]. Also, avoid looking at things that distract and scatter the mind” [Nawawi, al-Tibyan fi Adab Hamalat al-Quran]

Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him and his father) would not speak while reading the Quran until he finished it. [Ibid.]

May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.

And Allah knows best.

[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa

Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.

He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.

He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.

Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.