4/11. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 767 — What to Say When Lost Items Are Announced
Prohibition Of Making Lost-and-Found Announcements In The Mosque
When Someone Announces a Lost Item in the Mosque
Sunan Ibn Majah : 767
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 767
حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ كَاسِبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي حَيْوَةُ بْنُ شُرَيْحٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الأَسَدِيِّ أَبِي الأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، مَوْلَى شَدَّادِ بْنِ الْهَادِ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ " مَنْ سَمِعَ رَجُلاً يَنْشُدُ ضَالَّةً فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَلْيَقُلْ لاَ رَدَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ فَإِنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لَمْ تُبْنَ لِهَذَا " .
Abu 'Abdullah Narrated from:
It was narrated from Abu 'Abdullah, the freed slave of Shaddad bin Had that: He heard Abu Hurairah say: "I heard the Messenger of Allah say: 'Whoever hears a man making a lost-and-found announcement in the mosque, let him say: "May Allah not return it to you!" For the mosques were not built for that.'"
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 767In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 33English translation : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 767
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 767
This Hadith gives both a rule and a response. The Messenger of Allah said that if someone hears a man making a lost-and-found announcement in the mosque, he should say, "May Allah not return it to you!" The reason is also given: mosques were not built for that. This shows how strongly the Prophet wanted the mosque to remain focused on its proper purpose. The point is not to be rude for no reason. The wording is tied to correcting an action that does not fit the masjid. The Hadith teaches that mosque etiquette is a shared duty. If someone uses the mosque for unsuitable announcements, others should remind him that this is not what the mosque was built for.
What we learn from this hadith
- People should not announce lost property inside the mosque.
- The Hadith gives a specific response to such an announcement.
- The mosque was not built for this kind of personal call.
- Protecting mosque manners can involve correcting unsuitable behavior.
