Question

Is this Hadith correct? What time does  فارقت عليه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم refer to?

أن مالك بن يخامر حدثهم، أن معاذ بن جبل قال لهم: إن آخر كلام فارقت عليه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن قلت: أي الأعمال أحب إلى الله؟ قال: أن تموت ولسانك رطب من ذكر الله

Answer

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this version. This version is suitable to quote and is well corroborated.

(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 208, vol. 20. Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10, pg. 74. Also see here)

Translation

Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (radiyallahu ‘anhu) says, “[Among] the last discussion I had with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) [before departing for Yemen] was that I asked him, ‘Which action is the most beloved to Allah’? He said, ‘That you leave this world in such a condition that your tongue is moist with the remembrance of Allah.’

“فارقت عليه” would refer to the time before his departure to Yemen.

Also see here.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar