Question

What is the status of this Hadith?

Ummul Mu’minin Sayyidah ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) relates that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would say that silent remembrance of Allah Ta’ala which the Angels recording the deeds of man were also unable to hear is seventy time superior. He would say, “On the Day of Qiyamah mankind will be called to reckoning and the Angels will produce the deeds of a person, Allah Ta’ala will say to the Angels, ‘Are there any other deeds’? The Angels will say that they have brought forth all they have recorded. Allah Ta’ala will say, ‘ I know of one good deed which you you are unaware of and I will grant the reward for it, it is the silent remembrance of me”

Answer

Imam Abu Ya’la (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration. Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has recorded part of the narration and has declared a narrator weak. ‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has also declared the Hadith weak.

(Musnad Abu Ya’la, Hadith: 4738 and Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 552, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10, pg. 81. Also see: Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 4, pg. 351, number: 8142)

Imam Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Shaybah (rahimahullah) has recorded the following narration as the statement of Sayyidah ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha):

“Silent remembrance of Allah Ta’ala which the Angels do not record [as they are unable to hear it] is seventy times superior”

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 30280)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar