Poetry in Mosques — Prohibition and Permissibility Explained
Excerpt taken from the book Aḥkām al-Masājid by Shaykh Muhammad Munir Qamar
Prohibition of Poetry in Mosques
In one of the narrations, the Prophet ﷺ forbade reciting poetry in mosques:
وأن ينشد فيه شعر
“And that poetry be recited in it (the mosque).”
Scholars note that there are several narrations on this matter, though the authenticity of their chains has been debated. However, the narration mentioned here has been considered ḥasan by some ḥadīth scholars, and its chain up to Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما) is ṣaḥīḥ. Hence, according to those who accept Ibn ‘Umar’s version as authentic, this ḥadīth is considered reliable.
Permissibility of Poetry in the Prophet’s Mosque
On the other hand, authentic narrations from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, and others establish that Ḥassān ibn Thābit (رضي الله عنه) used to recite poetry in defense of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ said to him:
يا حسان أجب عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
“O Ḥassān! Respond on behalf of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”
And he supplicated for him:
اللهم أيده بروح القدس
“O Allah, support him with the Holy Spirit (Jibrīl عليه السلام).”
[Muslim: 1713; Sharḥ al-Sunnah: 2/374]Furthermore, ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) narrated:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ينصب لحسان منبرا فى المسجد فيقوم عليه يهجو الكفار
“The Prophet ﷺ used to set up a pulpit for Ḥassān in the mosque, from which he would recite poetry satirizing the disbelievers.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd: 1493; Ṣaḥīḥ Tirmidhī: 2282; Ḥākim: 3/487]Reconciling the Two Types of Narrations
Scholars resolved the apparent contradiction between narrations of prohibition and those of permissibility:
① Ḥassān’s poetry was not ordinary or frivolous poetry. It was in defense of the Prophet ﷺ and in response to the mockery of the disbelievers.
② The prohibition applies to vain, indecent, or worldly poetry — such as that involving arrogance, love themes, alcohol, or jahlīyah ideals. Such poetry contradicts the sanctity of the mosque. However, poetry based on truth, good morals, tawḥīd, and defense of Islam is permissible, even in mosques.
③ Even permissible poetry should not become excessive in mosques. If it distracts from teaching, Qur’an recitation, or remembrance of Allah, then it is not allowed.
Conclusion
Thus, poetry in mosques is prohibited if it is vain, worldly, or indecent, but permissible if it upholds truth, defends Islam, and promotes good values. Even then, it should be limited so as not to distract from the true purposes of mosques.
