Do Not Interrupt Or Cut Off Someone While He Is Speaking
While we are talking – whether in the midst of a story or an explanation – we would certainly dislike it if others were to interrupt us, so we should give others the same courtesy that we expect for ourselves. The Islamic manner of not interrupting others in their speech is supported by a Hadeeth related by Abu Hurairah (RA), in which he (RA) said, While the Prophet (saas) was in a gathering, speaking to the people, a Bedouin came and said, When is the Hour (i.e., when will this world come to an end)? The Messenger of Allah (saas) continued to speak, so some people said, The Prophet (saas) heard him but disliked what he said, while others said, No, he heard. When he finished speaking, the Prophet (saas) said, Where is the questioner about the Hour? The Bedouin said, Here I am, O Messenger of Allah. He (saas) said,
When the trust is lost, await the Hour.
The Bedouin asked, And how will it be lost? He (saas) said,
When the matter (i.e., the position of leadership) is entrusted to those who do not deserve it, then await the Hour. 1
The portion of the Hadeeth that is relevant to our discussion here is Abu Harairahs saying, The Messenger of Allah (saas) continued to speak. He did not stop or allow himself to be interrupted, because the right to speak was with the person in the gathering who was already speaking – in the case, the Prophet (saas) – and not with the questioner.
In establishing the said ruling, we can also draw upon the saying of Ibn Abbaas (ra) to Ikramiah: Speak to the people once a week and if you refuse except to do otherwise, then twice; and if you want to address them even more often, then three times. And do not be the cause of people becoming bored by the Quran (by addressing them too often or for too long). And do not let me find you going to a people, while they are talking, and speaking to them (with a sermon), thus cutting off their talk and causing them to become bored. Instead, listen (to them and wait), and when they command (or ask) you (to address them), then speak to them while they are in a state of desiring to hear you. 2
1) Related by Bukhaare (59) and Ahmad (8512)
2) Related by Bukhaaree (6337)