Question

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

”Sleeping early in the day leads to withholding of sustenance”

I have read the following regarding the authenticity of this narration:

Imam Suyuti says Sahih but Al-Albany says weak and Darussalam says fabricated.

Which verdict is correct?

 

Answer

One should understand that the gradings of the Scholars on Hadith is open to difference of opinion, just as is the case with other issues. Therefore, one should stick to a particular reliable source for such rulings on Hadith. Scouting around leads to the confusion that you are experiencing.

My view

There are numerous narrations (some of them from Rasulullah -sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam- and some from the Sahabah) which discourage sleeping between Subah Sadiq (true dawn) and sunrise. Some of these Hadiths do cite the warning of deprivation of sustenance for those who sleep during this time.

(Musnad Ahmad (min zawaidi ‘Abdillah), vol. 1, pg. 73, Sharh Mushkilil Athar of Tahawi, Hadith: 1074 and before it, Shu’bul-Iman of Imam Bayhaqi, Hadith: 4402-4410, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 27212, Also see: Targhib, vol. 2, pg. 530-531, Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 615 and Al-Mudawi, Hadith: 2151)

Although none of them have a reliable chain, but when all are combined, the Hadith in question does acquire sufficient strength and can therefore be relied upon. ‘Allamah Zurqani (rahimahullah) has declared this Hadith as sound (hasan lighayrihi).

(Mukhtasarul Maqasidil Hasanah, Hadith: 574, also see Tanzihush-Shari’ah, vol. 2, pg. 196)

Other support

Besides this, it has been narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wa sallam) did make du’a for barakah (blessing) in the sustenance of his ummah in the early part of the morning.

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1212. Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) declared this Hadith as sound- hasan. Also see Al-Futuhatur Rabbaniyyah, vol. 3, pg. 72-73)

i.e. To set out in search of (sustenance) in the early part of the morning will be a means of barakah (blessings),  – through the du’a of Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wa sallam).

One who does not do so will be deprived of this particular du’a of Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wa sallam).

In light of the above narrations, one is discouraged from sleeping after Fajr at all.

‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) explains the reasons for this deprivation to be:

1) The early morning is actually the time for the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah ‘Azza wa Jall.

2) It is also the time to earn one’s livelihood.

(Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 615. Also see Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 5129)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar