Question

Kindly verify if the following statement was made by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) regarding Sayyiduna Mus’ab ibn ‘Umayr (radiyallahu ‘anhu):

“Among the believers are men who have been true to what they have pledged to Allah.” The Prophet then cast his Mubarak eyes over the battle field on which lay the dead companions of Mus’ab and said: “The Messenger of Allah testifies that you are martyrs in the sight of Allah on the day of Qiyamah.” Then turning to the living companions around him he said: “O People! Visit them, send peace on them for, by Him in whose hand is my soul, any Muslim who sends peace on them [i.e., gives them salam] until the day of Qiyamah, they would return the salutation of peace.”

 

Answer

This narration has been recorded by Imams Hakim and Bayhaqi (rahimahumallah) on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu), with a weak chain.

(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2, pg. 248, and Dala-ilun Nubuwwah, vol. 3, pg. 284)

The first portion of this Hadith, wherein Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) recited the verse: “Among the believers are men who have been true to what they pledged to Allah” in respect to Sayyiduna Mus’ab (radiyallahu ‘anhu), has been more authentically reported on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (radiyallahu ‘anhu). It has been recorded by Imams Hakim and Bayhaqi (rahimahumallah).

(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 3, pg. 200, and Dala-ilun Nubuwwah, vol. 3, pgs. 284-285; Also see: Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2, pg. 248, Fathul Bari, Hadith: 4784, Ad-Durrul Manthur, Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse: 23, and Subulul Huda War Rashad, vol. 4, pg. 332)

Both Imams Hakim and Dhahabi (rahimahumallah) have graded it as authentic.

(Mustadrak Hakim along with Talkhisul Mustadrak, vol. 3, pg. 300)

 Support for the second portion of the Hadith

The second portion of this narration [i.e., the narration in question], has also appeared in a Mursal narration recorded by Imam Hakim (rahimahullah). Furthermore, it has been recorded by Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah), albeit with a very weak chain, on the authority of Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).

(Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 3700 and Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 3, pg. 29; Also see: Mu’jamul Kabir, vol. 20, pg. 364, Hadith: 850, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 3, pg. 60 and vol. 6, pg. 123, Tahdhibut Tahdhib, vol. 11, pg. 261-262)

These additional chains [although weak or very weak], coupled with the fact that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wa sallam) is authentically reported to have himself visited the martyrs of Uhud (who are in actual fact, being referred to in the quote in question) does lend some support to the narration.

(Refer: Sahih Bukhari along with Fathul Bari, Hadith: 1344, and Subulul Huda War Rashad, vol. 4, pgs. 367-370)

Regarding the aspect of visiting the graveyard and greeting the deceased, many other narrations have been narrated as well. For example, see here and here.

(Also see: Sahih Muslim Hadith: 977, and Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 3698)

 

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar