As-salaamu 3laikum, I would like to know if babies and young children can appreciate the recitation of the Qur'an when they listen to it and know that it is special and important even though they can't understand the words. Also there are people who say that their young children relax and are calmer when they listen to the recitation of the Qur'an, so they play it for them when they want them to sleep. Is this permissible? Jazaakum Allahu khair

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The Quran is pleasant to hear and even a person who does not understand its meaning, like a child or a non-Arab, may enjoy listening to it.

Therefore, it is permissible to play the Quran for a child, especially if he calms down when listening to it, because it is lawful to recite Athkaar (the legislated supplications and mention of Allaah) for children. The evidence for this is that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, called the Athaan (call to the prayer) in the ear of Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn when they were born. [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]

Dr. Sa'eed Al-Qahtaani said in Al-Hady An-Nabawi fi Tarbiyat Al-Awlaad (The Prophetic Guidance in Educating Children): "The child's education starts from the time he comes out of his mother's womb to this life, because it is desirable that her listens to what drives the devil away from him, and hears something good."

Then he mentioned the Hadeeth of the Athaan and said after it: "Because these words are the best words for him to hear, and because the child is a blank page, so it is desirable that the first thing that he hears before anything else is the mention of Allaah, which drives the devil away." [End of quote]

The effect of the Quran to children and infants is something that has been observed. This should not be of any surprise because the Quran is a light, guidance and healing.

Allaah Knows best.