Question

Is this narration authentic?

“Eating with one’s servant/helper is part of humility and whoever eats with his servant, Jannah yearns for him”

Answer

Imam Daylami (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyidatuna Ummu Salamah (radiyallahu ‘anha).

(Musnadul Firdaws, Hadith: 438, ‘ilmiyyah edition)

However, the Muhaddithun have declared the Hadith a fabrication. The Hadith is not suitable to quote.

(Refer: Dhaylul La-Alil Masnu’ah, vol. 2, pg. 764, Hadith: 956 and Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 2, pg. 267)

The following Hadith recorded in Sahih Bukhari should be quoted instead:

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“When your servant brings your meal to any one of you, then if you do not make him sit with you, then you should at least give him a morsel or two or a bite or two as he is the one who [prepared it].”

See the references here.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar