The Practice of Listening in Islamic Context.

[Abu Fauzi]

As-Salaam alaikum, Listening is not only a sensory or mental act, but also a contemplative practice. ''Verily in this is a Message for any that has a heart and understanding; or who gives ear
[listens] and earnestly witnesses (the truth).'' (Surat Qaf- 50:37) About this, Sayyadi al-Harith ibn Asad al-Muhasibi (d. 243/857) in his book, (Watchfulness in Observing Allah's Duties) observes:-- "He who, out of yearning for Allah, listens to Allah's Book, or to a word of wisdom, or to a portion of knowledge, or to a piece of counsel while not conversing with his self at all but [concentrating] his attention and allowing his heart to see what he hears, such a one will derive counsel and remembrances (from the words he hears), for they are Allah's words. Allah described the believers (as listeners) and commanded them [to listen] saying: "My servants who give ear to the word and follow the fairest of it. They are whom Allah has guided: those- they are men possessed of minds.'' (39:18)

In other words, with our attentive hearing sense, we can listen to Allah's Words when reciting the Holy Qur'an, for example.... and with our heart we can witness what we hear from Him, Jallah-Jalalahu, who witnesses us.












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