Question

Regarding the Hadith, “Whoever revives a Sunnah at the time of corruption of my Ummah, will get the reward of a hundred martyrs.”

Does this reward apply to general Sunnahs as well, e.g., by applying surma to the eyes before sleeping, or by reading the masnun du’a before wudu?

Please elaborate.

Answer

The word used in the Hadith is “من تمسك” which translates as: “One who holds steadfast to my Sunnah, and not: One who revives it”

The scholars have mentioned that it is quite clear that this Hadith refers to practicing on the entire Sunnah, and not just one Sunnah. Under the commentary of this Hadith, ‘Allamah Muzhirud Din Az Zaydani (rahimahullah) explains, “Whomsoever  practices on my Sunnah [in its entirety] and revives it when people have abandoned it at a time when sins and ignorance is dominant.”

(قوله: من تمسك بسنتي يعني: من عمل بسنتي وأحيا سنتي في وقت ترك العمل بسنتي وغلب الفسق والجهل في الناس)

(Al Mafatih Fi Sharhil Masabih, Hadith: 139)

Therefore in addition to practising on the Sunnahs mentioned in  your question, one would have to ensure practising and holding fast on Sunnah in general.

See a detailed article on the authenticity of this Hadith, as well as the commentary of Shaykh Yunus Jawnpuri and Al-Muhaddith Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah here.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar