Question
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is reported to have said, “Talking in the Masjid consumes good deeds just as animals consume grass.”
Answer
‘Allamah Subki and ‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahumallah) have stated that they have not come across any basis for this narration.
(Tabaqatush Shafi’iyyah, vol. 6 pg. 294, Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 410)
Mulla ‘Ali Al Qari (rahimahullah) has cited this narration in his book on fabricated Hadiths and has stated this Hadith is not found (لم يوجد).
(Al Masnu’: Hadith: 109. Also see footnotes of Shaykh ‘Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah rahimahullah)
The Hadith in question is therefore not suitable to quote.
See here regarding raising one’s voice in the Masjid.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar