What is the difference between istimāʿ (listening) and inṣāt (heeding/paying close attention)?
Listening is: Intending to hear in order to understand what is heard and benefit from it. Imam An-Nawawi says: "It is the heart's engagement in listening and paying attention to the speaker." As for silent attention (insat), it is: Remaining silent in order to listen. An-Nawawi says: "It is silence."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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