8/24. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 716 — Defending Truth
The Concession Allowing The Recitation Of Good Poetry In The Masjid
Hadith About Hassan bin Thabit Reciting Poetry in the Masjid
Sunan an-Nasai : 716
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 716
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، قَالَ مَرَّ عُمَرُ بِحَسَّانَ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ وَهُوَ يُنْشِدُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَلَحَظَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ قَدْ أَنْشَدْتُ وَفِيهِ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنْكَ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَى أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ فَقَالَ أَسَمِعْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " أَجِبْ عَنِّي اللَّهُمَّ أَيِّدْهُ بِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ " . قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ نَعَمْ .
Sa'eed bin Al-Musayyab Narrated from:
Umar passed by Hassan bin Thabit while he was reciting poetry in the Masjid, and glared at him. He said: 'I recited poetry when there was someone better than you in the Masjid.' Then he turned to Abu Hurairah and said: 'Did you not hear the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when he said: Answer back on my behalf. O Allah, help him with the Holy Spirit!'" He said: 'Yes, by Allah.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 716In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 29English translation : Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith 717
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 716
This hadith about Hassan bin Thabit in the masjid gives a specific case of poetry linked to answering back on behalf of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Umar passed by Hassan while he was reciting poetry in the Masjid and looked at him sharply. Hassan replied that he had recited poetry there when someone better than Umar was present. He then asked Abu Hurairah whether he had heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم say, “Answer back on my behalf. O Allah, help him with the Holy Spirit.” Abu Hurairah confirmed it. The hadith should be read as this specific case: poetry used to answer on the Prophet’s behalf, not general casual poetry.
What we learn from this hadith
- Hassan connected his poetry to answering on behalf of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- Abu Hurairah confirmed the Prophet’s words in this report.
- Not every mention of poetry in the Masjid has the same setting.
- The hadith shows that the purpose of speech matters.
