Does listening to the Quran bring reward even if you don’t understand the words? This raises an important question: Can someone who listens to the Qur’an without understanding it still receive reward?

Is Listening to the Qur’an Without Understanding Rewarded?

Yes, but greater reward comes with understanding and reflection.

Islamic sources confirm that anyone who listens to the Quran with sincerity and attentiveness is rewarded, even if they do not grasp the meaning. This is based on the general command from Allah:

“So when the Qur’an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention so that you may receive mercy.”
(Al-A‘raf 7:204)

This command does not restrict the reward to only those who understand Arabic. Rather, it encourages attentive listening—a sign of reverence and submission to Allah.

That said, the more complete form of worship includes pondering and understanding, which yields even greater reward, as supported by the practices of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions.

Evidence

Qur’anic Command to Listen “So when the Qur’an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention so that you may receive mercy.”
(Al-A‘raf 7:204)
Tafsir As-Sa‘di: “Everyone who hears the Qur’an must be silent and listen attentively. This leads to great good, renewed faith, and increased insight.”
(Tafsir As-Sa‘di, p. 314)
Tafsir At-Tabari: “Listen so that you might understand and reflect… do not speak idly during its recitation.”
(Tafsir At-Tabari, 13/244)
Practice of the Companions: ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab would say to Abu Musa: “Remind us of our Lord,” and Abu Musa would recite the Qur’an while they listened silently.
(Majmu‘ al-Fatawa 11/626)
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah: “Through listening, Allah sets right people’s affairs in both this world and the Hereafter.”
(Majmu‘ al-Fatawa 11/626)
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (rahimahullah): “One will be rewarded for reading or listening to the Qur’an even if he doesn’t understand it, but he should be eager to learn its meaning.”
(Fatawa Nur ‘ala al-Darb)
Qur’anic Principle of Effort: “So fear Allah as much as you are able.”
(Surah At-Taghabun 64:16)

Bottom Line

Yes, listening to the Qur’an without understanding it does bring reward, as long as the listener is attentive and sincere. However, the optimal form of listening is to combine it with reflection and understanding, which results in greater spiritual benefit.

Muslims should strive to learn the meanings of the Qur’an through translation, tafsir, or learning Arabic. But until that is possible, their sincere listening remains a source of mercy and reward.

May Allah allow us to benefit from His words in every way — by hearing, understanding, and living them.

And Allah knows best.

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