Answered by: Maulana Mujahid Hussain
Question:
Did the Sahabah Used to Talk About Worldly Matters in the Masjid
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Not engaging in worldly talk inside the Masjid is a recommendation, not a command. Hence to call it a grave sin is wrong.
This recommendation is for our benefit for the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said:
إِنَّمَا هِيَ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَالصَّلاَةِ وَقِرَاءَةِ الْقُرْآنِ
“Indeed the Masaajid are only for the remembrance of Allah, prayer and the recitation of the Qur’an”[1]
Likewise to make personal worldly announcements in the Masjid is not allowed. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said the Messenger of Allah said, “If anyone hears a man inquiring in the mosque about something he has lost, he should say: ‘La Raddaha Allahu ‘alaika (May Allah not restore it to you),’ for mosques are not built for this purpose.”[2]
However, this does not mean you cannot talk about worldly matters from time to time. You rightly pointed out a few examples from the Sahabah and there are plenty more.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mujahid Hussain
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham