Question

What is the status of the following Hadith:

Sayyiduna Abu Umamah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Whoever dreads to endure the night, or is miserly about spending money, or is too cowardly to fight the enemy should say often: ‘Glory be to Allah and with His praise.’ [Subhanallahi Wa Bi hamdihi]  It is more beloved to Allah than a mountain of gold spent in the Way of Allah”

 

Answer

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration with three chains, all with varied degrees of weakness.

(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 7795, 7800 and 7877. Refer: Targhib, vol. 2, pg. 422 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10, pg. 94)

The Hadith in question is further supported by the following narration:

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Whoever dreads to endure the night, or is miserly about spending money, or is too cowardly to fight the enemy should remember Allah Ta’ala in abundance”

(Musnad Bazzar, Hadith: 4904 and Al Mu’jamul Kabir,Hadith: 11121 with a slightly weak chain. Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10, pg. 74)

Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar narration as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud in Al Adabul Mufrad.

(Al Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 276. Also see Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadiths: 30344, 30345 and 30346)

These narrations are suitable to quote.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar