Question

Is the following Hadith reliable?

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Whoever enjoins good and forbids evil is the vicegerent of Allah, the Quran and Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)”

Answer

The meaning of this is correct.

Imam Ibn ‘Adiy (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Ubadah ibn Samit (radiyallahu ‘anhu) with an extremely weak chain.

(Al Kamil, vol. 8, pg. 699. Refer: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 6, pg. 408)

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) points out that this Hadith has been reported through another chain as well (mursalan). This chain is also weak.

(Al Kafish Shafi, pg. 40)

Imam Nu’aym ibn Hammad (rahimahullah) has also recorded this narration with a weak chain. This version however, quotes this narration as the statement of some of the teachers of ‘Abdullah ibn Nu’aym Al Mu’afiri and not as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)

(Kitabul Fitan, Hadith: 241)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar