119. Listening To Surah Al-Kahf Instead Of Reading It

By Asma bint Shameem 

Question

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

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 Soorat 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. 

 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 surah; it is not sufficient simply to listen to it.”  (Islamqa Fatwa 228366)

ANOTHER POINT

Now, that  is for the one who KNOWS how to read the Qur’an. 

But what about the one who does NOT know HOW to read it?

Such people can do the following:

1. Learn to read the Qur’an as soon as you’re able. You’re missing out on something amazing. 

2. 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 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’ Allah. 

 The scholars said:

“If he cannot read it (the Qur’an), 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 Allah, 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 surahs, if he does what he is able to.” (Islamqa Fatwa # 228366)

And Allaah knows best.