Question

What is the authenticity of the following Hadith?

“Soon a time will come where people will pose difficult/complex questions to the Fuqaha [Jurists]. These are the worst of my Ummah”

 

Answer

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna Thawban (radiyallahu ‘anhu) with a very weak chain. Shaykh Ahmad Siddiq Al Ghumari (rahimahullah), a Moroccan Scholar of the recent past has declared the Hadith a fabrication.

(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 1431. Refer: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 8, pg. 492, number: 8554, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 1, pg. 155 and Al Mudawi, Hadith: 2012)

Other authentic narrations:

Despite the Hadith in question being unreliable, the prohibition of asking such difficult questions is authentically reported from Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wa sallam):

1) Sayyiduna Al Mughirah ibn Shu’bah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Allah Ta’ala has forbidden…excessive questions…”

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1477-5975)

One explanation of “Excessive questions” is difficult questions.

(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 5975)

2) Sayyiduna Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) forbade [discussing/asking] difficult questions.”

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 3648. Also see Fathul Bari, Hadith: 5975)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar