LISTENING to Surah al-Kahf instead of READING it

by Asma bint Shameem

Can I just listen to the recitation of Surah al-Kahf on Fridays instead of actually reading it?

ANSWER

Although “listening” to the Qur’aan is an amazing deed that’s rewarded by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, the ahaadeeth that mention the great rewards of Surah al-Kahf talk about READING the Surah and NOT just listening to it. 

For example:

🌷 “Whoever READS Surah al-Kahf on Friday, Allaah will bestow upon him light between those two Fridays.” (al-Bayhaqi- saheeh by al-Albaani)

🌷 “Whoever READS Surah al-Kahf on the night of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (the Ka’bah).” (al-Daarimi- saheeh by al-Albaani)

So just simply LISTENING to the Surah is NOT the same as READING it.

And the rewards of actually READING the Surah may not be achieved. 

🍃 Here’s what the scholars said:

“With regard to simply listening, without reading, the one who does that is not regarded as reciting or reading it, even though listening to it is a prescribed act of worship and is something that is required. 

But he will not necessarily attain the same reward and virtue as the one who reads it. 

We do not know of any evidence to suggest any basis for regarding the acts as equal.

Based on that, whoever wants to attain the virtue mentioned in the hadiths has to read the soorah; it is not sufficient simply to listen to it.”  (Islamqa Fatwa 228366)

🔺What if I DON’T KNOW HOW TO READ the Qur’aan? Then what?

A) For the one who KNOWS how to read the Qur’aan, it’s much better that they actually “read” Surah al-Kahf instead of listening to the recitation, if they want to gain the rewards mentioned in the hadeeth. 

B) For those who are not proficient in reading Arabic but read with difficulty:

If you want to achieve the rewards of reading Surah al-Kahf on Fridays, put on the recitation of this Noble Surah AND ALSO open up the Mus-haf at the same time and READ, following along WITH the recitation, moving your lips and tongue. 

This way you get to ‘read’ the Surah (with some ‘help’ from the recitation) AND achieve its rewards In shaa’ Allaah. 

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The one who is skilled in reciting Qur’aan will be with the noble, honorable scribes and the one who recites Qur’aan and falters therein, and finds it difficult, will have a double reward.”

(al-Bukhaari 4937 and Muslim 798).

C) As for those who do NOT know how to read Arabic at all, such people can do the following:

1- Learn to read the Qur’aan as soon as you’re able. 

You’re missing out on something amazing. 

2- In the meantime, until you learn to read the Qur’aan, put on a recording of Surah al-Kahf and REPEAT after the Qaari.

🍃 The scholars said:

“If he cannot read it (the Qur’aan), then he can repeat after the reciter, especially since it is easy to listen via various means. 

There are recorded recitations that allow the listener to repeat after the reciter.

If he is able to do that, then that is better, in Shaa Allaah, and by doing that he will actually have read or recited it, and perhaps he will attain a greater reward for his patience in putting up with the hardship involved in that.

Whoever is not able to do any of that, or it is too difficult for him, so he only listens to what he is able to, then we hope that he will not be deprived of the reward of one who reads or recites, or the virtues narrated about reciting such soorahs, if he does what he is able to.” (Islamqa Fatwa 228366)

And Allaah knows best.