Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
If deliberately raising one’s voice above the voice of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is a cause for the nullification of deeds, then how can it ever be permissible to give preference to one’s own or anyone else’s statement or action over his message and command?

Hazrat Thabit bin Qais (radi Allahu anhu) was the orator of the Ansar, and his voice was naturally loud. He did not raise or intensify his voice in order to impose his opinion, such that this would constitute disrespect or insolence towards the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), or cause him distress or displeasure, which could result in a person’s deeds being rendered void.

Since his voice was naturally loud and he did not intentionally raise it, it was not a cause of harm or discomfort to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Therefore, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “His deeds are not wasted, so he is among the people of Paradise.” From this, where is it proven that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had knowledge of all those destined for Paradise and Hellfire? If he had knowledge of everyone, then why did he state this only regarding a few Companions?

Hadith Commentary:

Thabit bin Qays bin Shamas radi Allahu anhu is a renowned Companion. He was among the true and devoted supporters of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Some individuals have a habit of speaking in a loud voice. Thabit had such a habit. Its relevance to the chapter heading is as follows: just as the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam gave glad tidings to Thabit radi Allahu anhu, it came true. Thabit was martyred in the Battle of Yamama and attained the rank of martyrdom. Radi Allahu anhu wa ardaah.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Hazrat Thabit bin Qais radi Allahu anhu was naturally inclined to speak in a loud voice. However, when this noble verse was revealed:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ وَلَا تَجْهَرُوا لَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ كَجَهْرِ بَعْضِكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَن تَحْبَطَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ﴾
“O you who believe! Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak loudly to him as you speak loudly to one another, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not.” ()

After the revelation of this verse, Hazrat Thabit radi Allahu anhu sat in his house and refrained from attending the gatherings of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, as mentioned in the aforementioned hadith.

➋
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has mentioned this hadith under the signs of Prophethood. In reality, his purpose is fulfilled by connecting it with another hadith: that Hazrat Thabit was preparing to fight the disbelievers in the Battle of Yamama, he applied oil to his body, leapt into the battlefield, and drank from the cup of martyrdom (i.e., was martyred).

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jihad, Hadith: 2845)

Thus, the manifestation of this hadith’s subject occurred in the Battle of Yamama. Perhaps Imam Bukhari rahimahullah alluded to this hadith, but our inclination is that Imam Bukhari rahimahullah indicated one of the chains of this hadith. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had said to Hazrat Thabit bin Qais radi Allahu anhu: “Does it not please you that you live as a blessed person, then be martyred and enter Paradise?” Thus, he was martyred in the Battle of Yamama and became the subject of the aforementioned hadith.

➌
Hazrat Anas radi Allahu anhu used to say that we considered him (Thabit) to be a person of Paradise walking about in this world.

(Fath al-Bari: 6/759)

➍
This hadith is a proof of Prophethood, for whatever the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said came to pass exactly as he said. And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary:
Hazrat Thabit bin Qais radi Allahu anhu was the orator of the Ansar, and his voice was very loud.
When the aforementioned verse was revealed and the Muslims were prohibited from raising their voices in the presence of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, he became so grief-stricken that he would not leave his house.
When the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not see him, he inquired about him.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Hazrat Thabit bin Qais radi Allahu anhu was the orator of the Ansar.
When Musaylimah the Liar came to Madinah Tayyibah, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam appointed him to converse with Musaylimah.
His voice was naturally heavy and loud, so he became fearful due to the command mentioned in the verse.
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam exempted him from this command, saying: "You do not raise your voice out of disrespect or lack of reverence, but rather your voice is naturally loud, so you are not blameworthy."

➋
This command was not restricted only to the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum ajma'in, but its application is general; your voice is naturally loud, so you are not blameworthy.

➌
This command was not restricted only to the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum ajma'in, but its application also extends to occasions where the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is being mentioned, or his ahadith are being narrated. In fact, Hazrat Umar radi Allahu anhu used to hold accountable those who spoke loudly in the Prophet's Mosque. Thus, Sa'ib bin Yazid says: "I was standing in the Prophet's Mosque when a man threw a pebble at me. I turned and saw that it was Umar bin Khattab radi Allahu anhu.
He ordered me to bring those two men to him.
I brought them to him, and he asked them:
'Where are you from?' They replied, 'We are from Ta'if.'
He said:
'If you were from the people of Madinah, I would have punished you.
You speak loudly in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.'"
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Salat, Hadith: 470)