Reference: I’laam al-Mu’aasireen bi-Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen – Page 201
Question: What is the ruling regarding speaking during the recitation of the Qur.aan in general gatherings, such as playing the recitation on tape whilst a group of people are talking?
Response: Allaah (Ta’aala) says:
So if we have a tape player which is playing the [Qur.aan] recitation of the reciter whilst we are talking, then either we turn off the tape player or we [be quiet and] listen to it (the recitation of the Qur.aan). As for remaining in mid-discussion as if we do not hear anything other than our voices, then this is contrary to the [expected] manners [we should] assume with the Qur.aan; So here I say, either turn off the tape player or [be quiet and] listen [to the recitation of the Qur.aan].
