Question
Is this narration authentic?
عن أبي الدرداء قال: ما رأيت أحدا بعد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أشبه صلاة برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من أميركم هذا يعني معاوية
Answer
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this statement of Sayyiduna Abud Darda in Musnadush Shamiyyin with two chains.
(Musnadush Shamiyyin, Hadith: 282-283. Also see: Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 8, pg. 275)
‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has declared the narrators [of one chain] reliable (ورجاله رجال الصحيح غير قيس بن الحارث المذحجي وهو ثقة).
(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 9, pg. 357)
Translation
Sayyiduna Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “I have not seen anyone after Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) whose Salah resembled that of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) more than your leader i.e., Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).”
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar