Is the following Hadith authentic?
When a person speaks in the Masjid, an Angel on the first instance says ‘O friend of Allah, keep quiet’. On the second instance the Angel says ‘O enemy of Allah, keep quiet and if the person persists, the Angel says ‘May Allah’s curse be upon you’
(Takhrijul Ihya)
Answer
I have not come across this Hadith in the said reference nor in any authentic Hadith collection. Thus I cannot comment on its authenticity. One should be cautious and abstain from quoting a Hadith (like the one in question) when the Hadith is untraceable in any original Hadith source, until its authenticity can be verified.
However raising one’s voice and engaging in worldly talks in the Masjid have been discouraged and we have been cautioned by Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to stay away from those who engage in worldly chatter in the Masjid.
1) Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Soon a time will come wherein people will group up in their Masjids, their only worry and concern will be the affairs of the Dunya, Allah has no need for these people so do not sit with them”
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4 pg. 323. Declared authentic –sahih– by Imam Hakim and Hafiz Dhahabi concurs. Also see Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 6761)
2) Sayyiduna Saib ibn Yazid (radiyallahu ‘anhu) says, ‘I was standing in the Masjid when a man threw some pebbles at me. I looked and it was Sayyiduna ‘Umar ibn Khattab (radiyallahu ‘anhu)’. He said to me, ‘Go and bring those two men to me.’ I brought them and he said, ‘Who are you two?’ or ‘Where are you from?’ They said, ‘From Taif.’ He said, ‘If you were from the people of this city, I would have punished you. You were raising your voices in the Masjid of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)?’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 470)
3) When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) advised the Bedouin who urinated in the Masjid, he said the following:
” These masjids are not meant for urine and filth, rather they are for remembering Allah, performing Salah and reciting Quran”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 285)
Rasulullah (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) clearly explained the purpose of the Masjid in the above Hadith. Engaging in worldly discussions is contrary to this.
4) In a lengthy narration recorded by Imam Tirmidhi with a weak chain, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentioned fifteen transgressions that will cause Allah’s punishment to befall this Ummah, the seventh one being ‘When voices are raised in the Masjid’
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2210 and 2211)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar