Question

What is the authenticity of the Hadith wherein Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“O Allah, Place the truth with ‘Ali wherever he goes”

Answer

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as part of a lengthier Hadith which explains a virtue of each of the four Khulafa, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Sayyiduna ‘Umar, Sayyiduna ‘Uthman and Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhum).

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3714)

Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has recorded the words in question as a separate Hadith.

(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 3, pg. 124/5)

However this Hadith has been recorded with a chain that consists of a narrator who has been declared extremely weak by senior Muhaddithun like Imam Bukhari, Imam Nasai and Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahumullah). Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) after declaring the Hadith as weak, states that this narrator has numerous strange narrations (kathirul gharaib).

Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has also dismissed the authenticity of this Hadith.

(Refer: Tahdhibut Tahdhib, vol. 10, pg. 69 and Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 4, pg. 304 -number: 7894-)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar