Surah Araf ayat 204 Tafsir Quran 7:204

﴿وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ﴾
[ الأعراف: 204]

7:204 So when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.

And when the Qur’ān is recited listen to it and pay heed refraining from speech so that you might find mercy this was revealed regarding the requirement of refraining from speech during the mosque sermon which here has been expressed by the recital of ‘the Qur’ān’ because it the sermon comprises it; others say that it was revealed regarding the requirement of silence and attention during the recitation of the Qur’ān in general.

O you people who have conformed to Islam: When the Quran is recited, bow down your ears and listen graciously and attentively to it so that you may hopefully be recipients of Allahs mercy

The Order to listen to the Qur'an After Allah mentioned that this Qur'an is a clear evidence, guidance and mercy for mankind, He commanded that one listen to the Qur'an when it is recited, in respect and honor of the Qur'an.
This is to the contrary of the practice of the pagans of Quraysh, who said, لاَ تَسْمَعُواْ لِهَـذَا الْقُرْءَانِ وَالْغَوْاْ فِيهِ ( "Listen not to this Qur'an, and make noise in the midst of its (recitation )") 41:26.
Ibn Jarir reported that Ibn Mas`ud said; "We would give Salams to each other during Salah.
So the Ayah of Qur'an was revealed; وَإِذَا قُرِىءَ الْقُرْءَانُ فَاسْتَمِعُواْ لَهُ ( When the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it. )

(7:204) So when the Qur'an is recited, listen carefully to it, and keep silent so that you may, be shown mercy.' *153

So when the Qur'an is recited, then meaning

*153).
The unbelievers are asked to shed their prejudice and to abandon their deliberate indifference to the Qur'an.
Whenever the Qur'an is recited to them, they stuff their fingers into their ears and make a lot of noise lest they or any others hear the Qur'an.
They should better behave more maturely and make an effort to grasp the teachings of the Qur'an.
It is quite likely that their study, of the Book would ultimately make them share with Muslims the blessings of the Qur'an.
This is an excellent, subtle and heart-winning approach which simply cannot be over-praised.
Those who are interested in learning the art of effective preaching can benefit immensely by, pondering over this Qur'anic verse.

The main purpose of the verse has also been explained.
By implication, however, the verse also enjoins people to be silent and to listen attentively to the Qur'an when it is being recited.
The verse also provides the basis of the rule that when the leader ( imam ) is reciting verses of the Qur'an in Prayer, the followers in the congregation should ( refrain from reciting and ) listen to the recitation in silence.
There is some disagreement among scholars on this issue.
Abu Hanifah and his disciples are of the view that the followers in the congregation should remain silent, irrespective of whether the the imam is reciting the Qur'an aloud or silently in his mind.
On the other hand, Malik and Ahmad b.
Hanbal are of the opinion that the followers in the congregation should listen silently only when the Qur'an is being recited aloud.
According to Shafi'i, the followers in the congrega tion should also recite the Qur'an regardless of whether the imam is reciting the Qur'an aloud or silently'.
His view is based on the Hadith that Prayer without recitation of al-Fatihah is void.
( See Ibn Rushd, Bidayat al-Mujtahid, vol.
1, pp.
149-50; Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni, vol.
1, pp.
562-9 - Ed. )
 

The Order to listen to the Qur'an After Allah mentioned that this Qur'an is a clear evidence, guidance and mercy for mankind, He commanded that one listen to the Qur'an when it is recited, in respect and honor of the Qur'an.
This is to the contrary of the practice of the pagans of Quraysh, who said, لاَ تَسْمَعُواْ لِهَـذَا الْقُرْءَانِ وَالْغَوْاْ فِيهِ ( "Listen not to this Qur'an, and make noise in the midst of its (recitation )") 41:26.
Ibn Jarir reported that Ibn Mas`ud said; "We would give Salams to each other during Salah.
So the Ayah of Qur'an was revealed; وَإِذَا قُرِىءَ الْقُرْءَانُ فَاسْتَمِعُواْ لَهُ ( When the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it. )

( And when the Qur’an is recited ) during the prescribed prayers, ( give ear to it ) to its recitation ( and pay heed ) to it being recited, ( that you may obtain mercy ) and not be punished.

So, when the Quran is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy. [i.e. during the compulsory congregational prayers when the Imam (of a mosque) is leading the prayer (except Surat Al-Fatiha), and also when he is delivering the Friday-prayer Khutbah]. [Tafsir At-Tabari, Vol. 9, Pages 162-4]

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