Question

I would like to know if there is a Hadith where Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) prohibited that water be the first thing drunk in the morning on an empty stomach as this causes different types of illnesses. I received a message saying it is mentioned in Tabarani.

 

Answer

This narration appears in Al Mu’jamul Awsat of Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) twice, both with extremely weak chains:

1) Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Al Khudri (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Whomsoever drinks water on an empty stomach, his strength will decrease”

(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 4643)

However, this narration has been transmitted with an extremely weak chain.

(Refer: Al Kamil, vol. 9, pg. 353, Lisanul Mizan, vol. 7, pg. 496, number: 7390)

2) In a lengthy Hadith, Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“…Whomsoever drinks water on an empty stomach, his strength will decrease…”

(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 6553)

This Hadith has also been transmitted with a very weak chain.

(Refer: Al Mughni Fid Du’afa, vol. 1, pg. 583. Also see: Kitabud Du’afa of Imam ‘Uqayli, vol. 4, pg. 388 -1338-, Al ‘Ilalul Mutanahiyah, Hadith: 1176 and Lisanul Mizan, vol. 6, pg. 58 -5566-)

Hafiz Ibn ‘Asakir (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration with slight variation in the wording. His chain of narrators goes through Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah)’s teacher. After citing the narration he states:

“This is a strange chain of narrators and a strange text” [Gharibul isnadi wal matn]

(Tarikh Ibn ‘Asakir, vol. 24, pg. 456)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar