Question

Is this Hadith suitable to quote?

Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“The one who enlivens five nights of the year with ‘ibadah, Jannah becomes compulsory for him, The night of Tarwiyah (8th of Dhul Hijjah), the night of ‘Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah), the night of Nahr (10th of Dhul Hijjah), the night of ‘Eid ul Fitr and the night of the 15th of Sha’ban.”

Answer

Imam Abul Qasim Al Asbahani (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith, with variation in the wording.

(Kitabut Targhib Wat Tarhib, Hadith: 374)

Imam Ibn ‘Asakir (rahimahullah) has also recorded this Hadith with the following words:

“Whomsoever enlivens four nights with ‘ibadah, Jannah is compulsory for him, The night of Tarwiyah (8th of Dhul Hijjah), the night of ‘Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah), the night of Nahr (10th of Dhul Hijjah) and the night of ‘Eidul Fitr”

(Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 43, pg. 93)

However, this Hadith has been recorded with an extremely weak chain, that consists of a narrator who is very weak and has been declared as a liar by Imam Yahya ibn Ma’in (rahimahullah). The Hadith is therefore not suitable to quote.

(Refer: Tahdhibut Tahdhib, vol. 6, pg. 305, Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 2, pg. 531 -number: 4778-. Also see Nataijul Afkar, vol. 5, pg. 65, Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 8342 and Al Mudawi of Ahmad Siddiq Al Ghumari)

However we have been encouraged in other narrations to engage in ‘ibadah on the 15th of Sha’ban as well as the night preceding ‘Eid.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar