He did not say: “Relief us of it, Oh Bilal.” This indicates that you should not be lazy to perform worship of Allah U. You should also give the Zakah or the obligatory alms willingly with a good heart. Similarly, all of Allah’s commands should be carried out in this manner.
﴾وَاسْمَعُوا ﴿“and listen”: You are to understand and obey! Allah U says:
﴾يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلا تَوَلَّوْا عَنْهُ وَأَنْتُمْ تَسْمَعُونَ﴿
“O you who have believed, obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn from him while you hear [his order].” [Surah Al-Anfaal: 20].
The hearing is a means of understanding the Commands of Allah U. You are actually listening from Allah U when you recite the Holy Qur’an. The Holy Qur’an cannot be learnt except through listening and reading (to a Teacher). The countries of Sham, all praises be to Allah U, are well-known for the teaching of recitation and giving endorsements for reciters through` the chains of recitation. Trained reciters from these countries have gone to all the Islamic regions over the centuries.