Nay, on the hearts there are locks.

Nay, on the hearts there are locks.” (Surah Muhammad 47: 24) If someone else is reciting it we must listen to it carefully as commanded by Almighty Allah, “And when the Qur’an is recited, then listen to it and remain silent, that mercy may be shown to you.” (Surah al-Ar’āf 7: 204) If one is present in an assembly where people do not show importance to Qur’an and would not listen attentively one should not recite the Qur’an there.

The book Gulzar al-Akbari records from Abul Wafa Hirwi that he said: I was reciting the Holy Qur’an in the royal court one day. The people present over there were busy talking to each and they were not listening to it carefully. That night I saw the Messenger of Allah (S) in my dream. The colour of his face had changed and he was angry. He said to me, “Do you recite the Qur’an in an assembly where people remain busy among themselves and do not pay heed to it?

Indeed from today (because you had not observed the respect of Qur’an) you shall not be able to recite the Qur’an, except if…