Question

Is this narration authentic?

Muhammad ibn ‘Aqil says:

‘Ali made a Sermon to us and he said: “O people, Who was the bravest among the people?’ We said: ‘You O Ameerul Mu’minin’, He said: “That is Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu), when we were on the day of Badr we placed a cover for Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to shade him and we said: ‘Who will stand near him When the Mushriks come seeking him and would prevent them’? Abu Bakr was the one who stood up and he raised his sword above his head whenever a person came near Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) he would strike them with it…

(He continues in a long Hadith) Then ‘Ali asked his companions: By Allah I ask you, which of the two is best? A believer from the family of Pharaoh or Abu Bakr? The people remained silent, ‘Ali then Said: By Allah Abu Bakr is much better than a believer from the folk of Pharaoh, That was a man who kept his belief hidden in his heart but Abu Bakr had openly announced his Iman”

Answer

Imam Abu Bakr Al Bazzar (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration with a chain that consists of unknown narrators.

(Musnad Bazzar, Hadith: 761)

‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) states that this chain consists of narrators whom he does not know [regarding their condition]. The Hadith will therefore be weak.

(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 9, pg. 47)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar