Question

Is the following Hadith authentic?

It has been reported by Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah [radiyallahu ‘anhu) that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said,

“When my followers will begin to adore the worldly benefits, their hearts will be deprived of the dignity and love of Islam; and when they stop the preaching of truth, and preventing transgression, they will be deprived of the blessings of the Revelation; and when they will abuse each other, they will fall from the esteem of Allah.”

Answer

Imam Hakim Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration in his Nawadirul Usul with a very weak chain.

(Nawadirul Usul, Hadith: 927. Refer: Al Mughni Fid Du’afa, vol. 1, pg. 153 and Taqribut Tahdhib: 642)

Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abid Dunya (rahimahullah) has recorded a similar shorter narration, on the authority of Fudhayl ibn ‘Iyad (rahimahullah) –Mu’dalan-.

(Kitabu Dhammid Dunya, Hadith: 322 and Kitabul Amr Bil Ma’ruf Wan Nahy ‘Anil Munkar, Hadith: 67. Refer: Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 900)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar