Question

Is this Hadith reliable?

Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Al Khudri (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“If any of you performs deeds in a solid rock that has no door or hole, his deeds, whatever they are, will come out [to the public].”

Answer

Imam Ahmad and Imam Abu Ya’la (rahimahumallah) have recorded this narration. Imam Ibn Hibban and Imam Hakim (rahimahumallah) have declared the Hadith authentic. ‘Allamah Haythami has declared the chain of Ahmad and Abu Ya’la sound (hasan).

(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 3, pg. 28, Musnad Abu Ya’la. Hadith: 1378, Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 5678, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4, pg. 314, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10, pg. 225)

‘Allamah Munawi (rahimahullah) says, “This Hadith explains that a sinner [will be given respite] and will only be exposed after habitually carrying out a sin”

(Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 7402)

‘Allamah ‘Azizi (rahimahullah) says, ‘The objective of this Hadith is to caution a sinner who carries out sins secretly.’

(As Sirajul Munir, vol. 3, pg. 212)

This is also commonly witnessed as the general system of Allah Ta’ala; one is not usually exposed for the sin immediately without respite.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar