Ibn Hibban

Sayyiduna Zayd bin Arqam narrates: Previously, due to necessity, we used to speak during prayer, until this verse was revealed: “Guard strictly the prayers, especially the middle prayer, and stand before Allah with devotion.” So we were commanded to remain silent (during prayer). (Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:) This narration has caused confusion for the one who did not acquire the knowledge of hadith from its original sources, and he believes that the abrogation of speaking during prayer was decreed in Madinah Munawwarah. And Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) did not participate in the incident of Dhu’l-Yadayn (may Allah be pleased with him). The reason is that Sayyiduna Zayd bin Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) belonged to the Ansar. He states that previously, we used to converse during prayer out of necessity. However, this is not as the confused person thinks. The reason is that Sayyiduna Zayd bin Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) was among those Ansar who accepted Islam in Madinah Munawwarah. And they used to perform prayers in Madinah Munawwarah before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) migrated there. These people used to pray in Madinah Munawwarah in the same manner as the Muslims prayed in Makkah. At that time, it was permissible for them to speak during prayer. When this ruling was abrogated in Makkah, it was likewise abrogated in Madinah. So Sayyiduna Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated what they used to practice previously. It is not that Sayyiduna Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated something in which he himself was not involved.