Question

Is this Hadith authentic?

الدنيا جيفة، وطلابها كلاب

The world is a corpse/carrion. Dogs search and hanker after it

 

Answer

The Muhaddithun have declared this Hadith a fabrication.

(Mawdu’atus Saghani, Hadith: 36)

‘Allamah ‘Ajluni (rahimahullah) states, “Although the meaning is correct, these words are not a Hadith.”

The meaning of this Hadith could be substantiated from a Hadith recorded by Imam Muslim (rahimahullah) wherein Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “The Dunya is more insignificant in the eye of Allah than a dead lamb is in your eye”

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2957)

One should rather quote this narration of Sahih  Muslim.

Imam Abu Nu’aym (rahimahullah) has recorded a similar narration as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu):

“The world is carrion, whoever desires it should tolerate associating and mixing with dogs”

(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 8, pg. 238, Kashful Khafa, vol. 1, pg. 468, Hadith: 1313)

Summary

The words in question should not be quoted as a Hadith, although the meaning is correct and could be substantiated from the narration in Sahih Muslim.

The words “The world is carrion” should be attributed to Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar