Tafsir of Al-A'raf 7:204

{And when the Qur’an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention}

The apparent meaning is the obligation of listening and paying attention during the recitation of the Qur’an, both within prayer and outside of it.

It is said: They used to speak during prayer, so this was revealed. Later, it became a Sunnah outside of prayer that people should remain silent when they are in a gathering where the Qur’an is being recited.

It is also said: Its meaning is, "When the Messenger recites the Qur’an to you upon its revelation, listen to it."

It is also said: The meaning of "listen to it" is "act upon what is in it and do not transgress it."

{And remember your Lord within yourself, in humility and with fear, and without being loud in speech, in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless.}