❖ Allah Loves Silence at Three Occasions – Hadith Chain and Explanation
Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Tafsir ka Bayan, Vol. 1, Page: 483
❀ The Question
The Hadith states:
«إِنَّ اﷲَ يُحِبُّ الصَّمْتَ عِنْدَ ثَلاَثٍ عِنْدَ تِلاَوَةِ الْقُرْآنِ وَعِنْدَ الزَّحْفِ وَعِنْدَ الْجَنَازَةِ»
“Indeed Allah loves silence at three occasions: during the recitation of the Qur’an, during battle, and at the time of the funeral.”
This narration is mentioned in Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 2, quoted from al-Tabarani through Zayd bin Arqam (رضي الله عنه). The question is about its authenticity and explanation.
❀ The Answer
Alhamdulillah, was-salatu was-salamu ‘ala Rasoolillah, amma ba‘d!
✿ Reference of the Hadith and Its Chain
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله), in his tafsir of Surah al-Anfal, verse 45:
﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا لَقِيتُمۡ فِئَةٗ فَٱثۡبُتُواْ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرٗا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ﴾ — al-Anfal: 45
writes in Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 2, p. 316:
«وقال الحافظ ابو القاسم الطبراني حدثنا ابراهيم بن هاشم البغوی حدثنا امية بن بسطام حدثنا معتمر بن سليمان حدثنا ثابت بن زيد عن رجل عن زيد بن ارقم عن النبی ﷺ مرفوعا قال : إن اﷲ يحب الصمت عند ثلاث»
Translation: Hafiz Abu al-Qasim al-Tabarani narrated to us from Ibrahim bin Hashim al-Baghawi, from Umayyah bin Bustam, from Mu‘tamir bin Sulayman, from Thabit bin Zayd, from a man (unnamed), from Zayd bin Arqam (رضي الله عنه), from the Prophet ﷺ in a marfu‘ narration: “Indeed Allah loves silence at three occasions…”
✿ Status of the Chain
- The chain of this hadith is weak (ضعيف).
- The defect lies in the phrase “عن رجل” (from a man), indicating a narrator who is majhool (unknown).
- Because this narrator is unidentified, the sanad does not reach the level of authenticity.
✿ Understanding the Meaning
- The content of the narration itself does not appear problematic.
- Silence at these three occasions—recitation of Qur’an, battle, and funeral—fits with the spirit of etiquette, respect, and wisdom.
- However, due to the weakness in the chain, this narration cannot be relied upon as a binding proof in matters of rulings.
❀ Conclusion
✿ The hadith is weak in chain and therefore not suitable as a source of legal rulings.
✿ It may be mentioned in virtues and etiquettes (faḍā’il) with proper clarification, but cannot be used for deriving ahkam (legal rulings).
✿ Reference: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 2, p. 316, via al-Tabarani.
ھٰذا ما عندی واللہ أعلم بالصواب
(This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct.)
