Question

What is the status of the Hadith which states that the earth does not consume the body of a Hafizul Quran?

Answer

The full narration is as follows:

Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When one who has memorised the Holy Quran passes away, Allah Ta’ala reveals to the earth not to consume his flesh. The earth responds: ‘O Allah! How can I consume his flesh when your speech is in his heart?”

(Mu’jamush Shuyukh of Hafiz Ibn ‘Asakir, pg: 1214)

However, the above Hadith is transmitted through an extremely weak narrator. ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) states that he has reported very weak narrations [manakir] as well as fabricated narrations. In another place, ‘Allamah Dhahabi states that he has reported extremely weak narrations as well as strange narrations.

(Refer: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 1, pg. 701 -number: 914, Al Mughni Fid Du’afa, vol. 1, pg. 99 -number: 490.Also see Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 1, pg. 35)

There are various other virtues of memorising the Quran, which should be quoted instead. See here for some virtues.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar