Question

Is the following narration authentic?

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) narrated:

“When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sent Al ‘Ala Al Hadrami on an expedition, I went with. I saw three amazing things, I am not sure which one is the most amazing.

We reached the shore of the ocean, and he [‘Ala Al Hadrami] said, ‘Take the name of Allah and enter.’ We did so and crossed the ocean and the hooves of our conveyance were not even wet.

While returning, we had no water. ‘Ala Al Hadrami said, ‘Perform two rak’ahs of Salah’. He then supplicated to Allah and suddenly there was a cloud and it began to rain.

When he passed away we buried him. We traveled a short distance and [we decided to move his body, fearing that an animal may consume him], but we did not find his body”

Answer

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration with a weak chain.

(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 167, volume 18, Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 3519 and Al Mu’jamus Saghir, Hadith: 400. Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 9, pg. 376)

This incident however, has been reported with other chains [and variations in the wording]  as Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah (may Allah protect him) has pointed out. These chains when combined  gain collective strength. Sayyiduna Al ‘Ala Al Hadrami (radiyallahu ‘anhu) is famously knows to be ‘mustajabud da’wat’ (One whose du’as were readily answered).

(Kitabu Mujabid Da’wah of Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abid Dunya, Hadith: 40, Footnotes on Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah, Hadith: 11790 and 30423. Also see Dalailun Nubuwwah of Imam Bayhaqi, vol. 6, pg. 50-54 and Al Isabah of Hafiz Ibn Hajar, vol. 7, pg. 236/7)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar