Question

How sound is this narration?

“Sincerity is my secret blessing which I have instilled in the heart of those whom I love among My slaves?”

Answer

The full narration is as follows:

Allah Ta’ala says:

“Sincerity is my secret blessing which I have instilled in the heart of those whom I love among My slaves. The Angels are not even aware of it so that they may record in [in a person’s book of good deeds] nor are the Shayatin [devils] aware of it so that they may spoil it”

This Hadith has been recorded with an extremely weak chain. Hafiz Ibn Hajar and ‘Allamah ‘Ayni (rahimahumallah) have declared the Hadith extremely weak (wahin jiddan) and have pointed out authentic narrations which contradict the last part of this Hadith.

(Refer: Fathul Bari, vol. 4, pg. 109, Hadith: 1894 and ‘Umdatul Qari, Hadith: 1894. Also see Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 4262)

This Hadith is therefore not suitable to quote. There are numerous authentic narrations regarding ikhlas which should be quoted instead. See a few examples here.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar