Question

What is the authenticity of this narration and could you mention the Arabic text as well?

Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Verily, I fear for you that a man will recite the Quran [abundantly], so much so that the splendour of the Quran is visible upon him and he takes Islam as a cloak [i.e., He lives his life in accordance to the teachings of Islam diligently]. Then, he changes to whatever Allah wills for him, such that it is stripped from him and he throws [Islam] behind his back, assaulting his neighbour with the sword and accusing him of kufr (disbelief).’ I said, “O Rasulullah, which one is closer to kufr? The accused or the accuser?” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Rather it is the accuser.'”

Answer

Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith and has declared it authentic.

(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 81. Also see: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Al A’raf, Verse: 175 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 1, pg. 177/178)

Arabic text of the Hadith:

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن ما أتخوف عليكم رجل قرأ القرآن حتى إذا رئيت بهجته عليه، وكان ردئا للإسلام، غيره إلى ما شاء الله، فانسلخ منه ونبذه وراء ظهره، وسعى على جاره بالسيف، ورماه بالشرك، قال: قلت: يا نبي الله، أيهما أولى بالشرك، المرمي أم الرامي؟ قال: بل الرامي

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar