42/21. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2714 — Pen on the Ear for the Scribe
The Hadith "Put The Pen On Your Ear"
Hadith About the Pen and the Scribe
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2714
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2714
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ عَنْبَسَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زَاذَانَ، عَنْ أُمِّ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَبَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ كَاتِبٌ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ " ضَعِ الْقَلَمَ عَلَى أُذُنِكَ فَإِنَّهُ أَذْكَرُ لِلْمُمْلِي " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ وَهُوَ إِسْنَادٌ ضَعِيفٌ . وَعَنْبَسَةُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ زَاذَانَ يُضَعَّفَانِ فِي الْحَدِيثِ .
Zaid bin Thabit Narrated from:
I Entered Upon The Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) While There Was A Scribe In Front Of Him, And I Heard Him Saying: 'Put The Pen On Your Ear, For That Is More Conducive To The Scribe Remembering.'
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2714In-book reference : Book 42, Hadith 27English translation : Vol. 5, Book 40, Hadith 2714
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2714
This hadith about the pen and the scribe reports that Zaid bin Thabit entered upon the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم while a scribe was in front of him. He heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, “Put the pen on your ear, for that is more conducive to the scribe remembering.” The wording gives a small practical detail related to writing and dictation. At the same time, the Arabic text includes Abu Isa’s note that the hadith is gharib, that it is known only through this route, and that its chain is weak. So the explanation should be careful. The report’s direct meaning is about keeping the pen ready and connected to the writing task, while also noting the grading concern given in the text.
What we learn from this hadith
- The report connects the pen with the work of a scribe.
- The stated reason is helping the scribe remember.
- The provided Arabic note says the chain is weak.
- Writing tasks benefit from readiness and attention, based on the report’s wording.
