Question

What is the authenticity of the following Hadith related on the authority of Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (radiyallahu ‘anhu):

“Whoever offers Salah at night, then he should recite in a raised voice, for the Angels pray with him and listen to the recitation. If there are believing Jinn present where he is praying, then they pray with him as well and listen with attention. For indeed loud recitation encircles the one reciting and those around him and drives the troublemakers and the most evil of the Jinn away”

Answer

Imam Abu Bakr Al Bazzar (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as part of a lengthy Hadith. Hafiz Abu Bakr ibn Abid Dunya (rahimahullah) has recorded this lengthy narration as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Ubadah ibn Samit (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

(Musnad Bazzar, Hadith: 2655. At Tahajjud Wa Qiyamul Layl, Hadith: 31)

‘Allamah Mundhiri and Hafiz ‘Iraqi (rahimahumallah) have declared the text of this Hadith extremely weak.

(Targhib, vol. 1, pg. 434 and Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 887. Also see Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 2, pg. 253/4 and Al Fawaidul Majmu’ah, pg. 254)

However, Angels listening to Quran recitation has been authentically proven in numerous Hadiths. Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim (rahimahumallah) have also recorded narrations that support and prove this.

These Hadiths should be quoted instead.

(Refer: Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5018 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 796)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar