Question

What is status of following Hadith?

“The parable of my Ummah is that of rain, it is uncertain if the first or last of it is better”

Answer

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) and others have recorded this Hadith.

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2869)

Although some Muhaddithun have declared the Hadith weak, the correct view is that this Hadith is reliable.

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith sound (hasan) and Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith authentic (sahih). Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) states that this Hadith is sound and due to it being corroborated by numerous chains it may even reach the level of sahih.

(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 7226 and Fathul Bari, under Hadith: 3649, vol. 7, pg. 6. Also see Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 997)

This Hadith explains that just as the first of this Ummah (i.e., the Sahabah and Tabi’un) had spread benefit by spreading Din and Knowledge, so too will the last of this Ummah. This Hadith does not suggest that the latter ones of this Ummah could be greater than the Sahabah.

(Refer: Tuhfatul Ahwadhi, Hadith: 2869)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar