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Sahih MuslimThe Book of Mosques and Places of Prayer

We used to speak during prayer; a man would talk with his companion at his side in the prayer until [this verse] was revealed: {...And stand before Allah in devout obedience.} So we were commanded to keep silent, such that we were forbidden to talk

Chapter: The prohibition of speaking during the prayer, and the abrogation of its former permissibility

Authentic hadith of Sahih Muslim Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 539a

Narrator:Zayd ibn Arqam

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ أَبِي خَالِدٍ، عَنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ شُبَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِي عَمْرٍو الشَّيْبَانِيِّ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَرْقَمَ، قَالَ

كُنَّا نَتَكَلَّمُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ يُكَلِّمُ الرَّجُلُ صَاحِبَهُ وَهُوَ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ فِي الصَّلاَةِ حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ ‏‏{‏ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ‏}‏ فَأُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ وَنُهِينَا عَنِ الْكَلاَمِ ‏

Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We used to speak during the prayer; a man would talk with his companion at his side in the prayer until [this verse] was revealed: {...And stand before Allah in devout obedience} [Sūrat al-Baqarah: 238]. So we were commanded to keep silent, such that we were forbidden to talk [to each other during prayer].

Reported by Muslim (No. 539a, 539b), Al-Bukhari (No. 1200, 4534), Abu Dawud (No. 949), At-Tirmidhi (No. 405, 2986) and An-Nasa’i (No. 1219).

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Explanation

The ritual prayer is a communication between the servant and Allah. So in prayer, one should not allow anything to distract him from this private communication with Allah. Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be well pleased with him) says that the Muslims, at the beginning of Islam used to talk to each other during ritual prayers as much as they needed. So one would talk to his companion beside him during the prayer. The Prophet knew of that, but he did not disapprove of it. Since one converses privately with Allah during prayer, no contact should be made with humans. Hence, Allah, the Exalted, commanded the Muslims to observe their prayer with silence, saying: {Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient} [Sūrat al-Baqarah: 238]. So the Companions came to know from this verse that talking during the prayer is forbidden, and they refrained from talking from that moment on.

Explanation in Arabic

الصلاة صِلة بين العبد وربه؛ فلا ينبغي أن يتشاغل المصلي بغير مناجاة الله ،فيخبر زيد بن أرقم رضي الله عنه أن المسلمين كانوا في بدء أمرهم يتكلمون في الصلاة بقدر حاجتهم إلى الكلام، فقد كان أحدهم يكلم صاحبه بجانبه في حاجته، وكان على مسمع من النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، ولم ينكر عليهم.

ولما كان في الصلاة شغل بمناجاة الله عن الكلام مع المخلوقين، أمرهم الله تبارك وتعالى بالمحافظة على الصلاة وأمرهم بالسكوت ونهاهم عن الكلام، فأنزل الله تعالى: {حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصّلاةِ الوُسطى وَقُومُوا لله قَانِتِينَ}. فعرف الصحابة منها نهيهم عن الكلام في الصلاة فانتهوا، رضي الله عنهم.

  • كان الكلام في الصلاة أول الإسلام مباحًا بقدر الحاجة إليه.
  • الاحتجاج بقول الصحابي في سبب النزول، كما أنه حجة في غيره.
  • تحريم الكلام في الصلاة بعد نزول قوله تعالى: {وَقُومُوا لله قَانِتِينَ}. من العامد، وهو الذي يعلم أنه في صلاة، وأن الكلام فيها محرم.
  • أن الكلام -مع حرمته- مُفْسِد للصلاة؛ لأن النهي يقتضي الفساد.
  • أن القنوت المذكور في هذه الآية، مراد به السكوت، كما فهمه الصحابة، وعملوا بمقتضاه في زمن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم.
  • أن المعنى الذي حرم من أجله الكلام، هو طلب الإقبال على الله في هذه العبادة، والتلذُذ بمناجاته فَليُحْرَصْ على هذا المعنى السامي.
  • صراحة النَّسْخ في مثل هذا الحديث الذي جمع بين الناسخ والمنسوخ.
  • الحكمة في التشريع حيث كان الكلام مباحًا ثم حرم.

Classical commentary

An-Nawawi — Sharh Sahih Muslim

قَوْله تَعَالَى : { وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ } قِيلَ : مَعْنَاهُ : مُطِيعِينَ , وَقِيلَ : سَاكِتِينَ. قَوْله : ( أُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ وَنُهِينَا عَنْ الْكَلَام ) : فِيهِ دَلِيل عَلَى تَحْرِيم جَمِيع أَنْوَاع كَلَام الْآدَمِيِّينَ , وَأَجْمَعَ الْعُلَمَاء عَلَى أَنَّ الْكَلَام فِيهَا عَامِدًا عَالِمًا بِتَحْرِيمِهِ بِغَيْرِ مَصْلَحَتهَا وَبِغَيْرِ إِنْقَاذهَا وَشِبْهه مُبْطِل لِلصَّلَاةِ. وَأَمَّا الْكَلَام لِمَصْلَحَتِهَا فَقَالَ الشَّافِعِيّ وَمَالِك وَأَبُو حَنِيفَة وَأَحْمَد - رَضِيَ اللَّه عَنْهُمْ - وَالْجُمْهُور : يُبْطِل الصَّلَاة , وَجَوَّزَهُ الْأَوْزَاعِيُّ وَبَعْض أَصْحَاب مَالِك وَطَائِفَة قَلِيلَة. وَكَلَام النَّاسِي لَا يُبْطِلهَا عِنْدنَا وَعِنْد الْجُمْهُور مَا لَمْ يُط…

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Scholars’ grades

ScholarGradeApplies toWork
Muslimd. 261 AH Authenticصحيح The hadith صحيح مسلم No. 539
Grades of other versions (1)
  • AuthenticAl-Albani صحيح — صحيح الترمذي (405)

Other versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 1200

In the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ) we used to speak while praying, and one of us would tell his needs to his companions, till the verse, 'Guard strictly your prayers (2.238) was revealed. After that we were ordered to remain silent while praying.

كُنَّا لَنَتَكَلَّمُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، يُكَلِّمُ أَحَدُنَا صَاحِبَهُ بِحَاجَتِهِ حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ ‏‏{‏حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ‏}‏ الآيَةَ، فَأُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ‏.‏

Narrated by Zayd ibn Arqam

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih al-Bukhari 4534

We used to speak while in prayer. One of us used to speak to his brother (while in prayer) about his need, till the Verse was revealed:-- "Guard strictly the (five obligatory) prayers, especially the middle (the Best) (`Asr) Prayer and stand before Allah with obedience (and not to speak to others…

كُنَّا نَتَكَلَّمُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ يُكَلِّمُ أَحَدُنَا أَخَاهُ فِي حَاجَتِهِ حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ ‏‏{‏حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلاَةِ الْوُسْطَى وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ‏}‏ فَأُمِرْنَا…

Narrated by Zayd ibn Arqam

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sahih Muslim 539b

A hadith like this has been transmitted by Isma'il b. Abu Khalid.

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، وَوَكِيعٌ، ح قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ أَبِي…

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Jami' at-Tirmidhi 405

"We used to talk behind Allah's Messenger (S) during the Salat, a man among us would talk to his companions next to him until (the following) was revealed: And stand before Allah with obedience. (2:238) So we were ordered to be silent and prohibited from talking."

حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ ‏:‏ ‏‏(‏وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ ‏)‏ فَأُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ وَنُهِينَا عَنِ الْكَلاَمِ ‏

Narrated by Zayd ibn Arqam

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2986

"During the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we would talk during Salat, so 'And stand before Allah with obedience (2:238) was revealed, ordering us to be silent." (Another chain) with similar wordings, but he added: "And we were forbidden from talking."

كُنَّا نَتَكَلَّمُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَنَزَلَتْ ‏:‏ ‏‏(‏وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ ‏)‏ فَأُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ ‏.‏

Narrated by Zayd ibn Arqam

See all 8 versions
Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan an-Nasa'i 1219

"We used to speak to each other during the prayer, saying whatever was necessary, at the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), until this verse was revealed: Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the middle Salah (i.e. the best prayer- 'Asr). And stand before Allah with…

كَانَ الرَّجُلُ يُكَلِّمُ صَاحِبَهُ فِي الصَّلاَةِ بِالْحَاجَةِ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ ‏‏{‏ حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلاَةِ الْوُسْطَى وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ…

Narrated by Zayd ibn Arqam

Not graded Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Bulugh al-Maram 221

We used to talk while engaged in Salat (prayer) during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and one would talk with his companion regarding his needs in prayer till (this verse) was revealed: "Guard strictly the prayers, especially the middle prayer; and stand before Allah with obedience," then we…

وَعَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَرْقَمَ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- قَالَ : { إِنْ كُنَّا لَنَتَكَلَّمُ فِي اَلصَّلَاةِ عَلَى عَهْدِ اَلنَّبِيِّ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏-يُكَلِّمُ أَحَدُنَا صَاحِبَهُ بِحَاجَتِهِ , حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ…

Narrated by Zayd ibn Arqam

Also reported by… (9)
  • الاستذكار (151)كُنَّا نَتَكَلَّمُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ يُكَلِّمُ أَحَدُنَا صَاحِبَهُ فِي حَاجَتِهِ ، حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ : حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَى وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ سورة البقرة آية 238 ، فَأُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ وَنُهِينَا عَنِ الْكَلَامِ
  • الاعتبار في الناسخ والمنسوخ من الآثار للحازمي (108)الرَّجُلُ يُكَلِّمُ صَاحِبَهُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ بِالْحَاجَةِ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ : حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلاةِ الْوُسْطَى وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ سورة البقرة آية 238 فَأُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ
  • السنن الكبرى للبيهقي (3068)أَحَدُنَا يُكَلِّمُ ، يَعْنِي صَاحِبَهُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ فِي الصَّلاةِ ، حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ سورة البقرة آية 238 ، فَأُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ ، وَنُهِينَا عَنِ الْكَلامِ
  • السنن الكبرى للنسائي (1128)الرَّجُلُ يُكَلِّمُ صَاحِبَهُ فِي الصَّلاةِ بِالْحَاجَةِ ، عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ، حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ : حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلاةِ الْوُسْطَى وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ سورة البقرة آية 238 فَأُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ
  • القراءة خلف الإمام للبخاري (135)كُنَّا نَتَكَلَّمُ فِي الصَّلاةِ يُكَلِّمُ أَحَدُنَا أَخَاهُ فِي حَاجَتِهِ حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلاةِ الْوُسْطَى وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ سورة البقرة آية 238 فَأَمَرَنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ
  • سير أعلام النبلاء الذهبي (761)لَنَتَكَلَّمُ فِي الصَّلاةِ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ , يُكَلِّمُ أَحَدُنَا صَاحِبَهُ بِحَاجَتِهِ , حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلاةِ الْوُسْطَى وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ سورة البقرة آية 238 فَأُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ
  • صحيح ابن حبان (2286)الرَّجُلُ يُكَلِّمُ صَاحِبَهُ فِي الصَّلاةِ بِالْحَاجَةِ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ ، حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ : حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ سورة البقرة آية 238 الآيَةَ
  • صحيح ابن خزيمة (829)كَانَ يُكَلِّمُ الرَّجُلُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ فِي الصَّلاةِ ، حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ ، وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ سورة البقرة آية 238 زَادَ فِي حَدِيثِ هُشَيْمٍ : فَأُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ ، وَنُهِينَا عَنِ الْكَلامِ
  • مستخرج أبي عوانة (1346)كُنَّا نَتَكَلَّمُ فِي الصَّلاةِ يُكَلِّمُ أَحَدُنَا صَاحِبَهُ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهُ حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلاةِ الْوُسْطَى وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ سورة البقرة آية 238 فَأُمِرْنَا بِالسُّكُوتِ

On the same subject

Not graded Riyad as-Salihin 700

While I was in Salat with Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), a man in the congregation sneezed and I responded with: 'Yarhamuk-Allah (Allah have mercy on you).' The people stared at me with disapproving looks. So I said: "May my mother lose me. Why are you staring at me?" Thereupon, they began to strike their…

وعن معاوية بن الحكم السلمي رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ ‏"‏بينا أنا أصلي مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، إذا عطس رجل من القوم فقلت‏:‏ يرحمك الله، فرماني القوم بأبصارهم ‏!‏ فقلت‏:‏ واثكل أمياه ‏!‏ ما شأنكم تنظرون إلى‏؟‏ فجعلوا…

Narrated by Mu‘āwiya ibn al-Hakam as-Sulamī + 15 other versions

Authentic Sunan an-Nasa'i 1221

"We used to greet the Prophet (ﷺ) with salam and he would return our salam, until we came back from the land of Ethiopia. I greeted him with salam and he did not return my greeting,a nd I started to wonder why. So I sat down; and when he finished praying, he said: 'Allah (SWT) decrees what He…

"‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يُحْدِثُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ مَا يَشَاءُ وَإِنَّهُ قَدْ أَحْدَثَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ لاَ يُتَكَلَّمَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd + 3 other versions

Differing grades Sunan Abu Dawud 924

We used to salute during prayer and talk about our needs. I came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and found him praying. I saluted him, but he did not respond to me. I recalled what happened to me in the past and in the present. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished his prayer, he said to me…

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحْدِثُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ مَا يَشَاءُ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَعَزَّ قَدْ أَحْدَثَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ لاَ تَكَلَّمُوا فِي الصَّلاَةِ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd

Differing grades Sunan Abu Dawud 931

what do you mean by looking at me with furtive glances. Then they glorified Allah. When the prophet (ﷺ) finished his prayer, he asked; who was the speaker? The Prophet told him; this Bedouin. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called me and said to me: Prayer is meant for the recitation of the Quran, and…

إِنَّمَا الصَّلاَةُ لِقِرَاءَةِ الْقُرْآنِ وَذِكْرِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ وَعَزَّ فَإِذَا كُنْتَ فِيهَا فَلْيَكُنْ ذَلِكَ شَأْنَكَ ‏"

Narrated by Mu‘āwiya ibn al-Hakam as-Sulamī

Differing grades Sunan an-Nasa'i 1220

"I used to come to the Prophet (ﷺ) when he was praying, and I would greet him with Salam, he would return my greeting. Then I came to him when he was praying, and he did not return my greeting. When he said the Taslim, he pointed to the people and said: "Allah (SWT) has decreed that in the prayer…

"‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ - يَعْنِي - أَحْدَثَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ أَنْ لاَ تَكَلَّمُوا إِلاَّ بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا يَنْبَغِي لَكُمْ وَأَنْ تَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd

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