Question
Is the following Hadith authentic?
“Whoever possesses these three qualities will receive the protection of Allah, Allah will shower his mercy on him and he will be worthy of His love. It was asked, ‘What are these three qualities O Rasulullah’? Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘One who is grateful whenever he is given something, one who forgives when he is wronged , and one who is able to restrain his anger'”
Answer
Imam Hakim and Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahumallah) have recorded this Hadith.
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 125 and Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 4118 and 4119)
However this Hadith has been transmitted with a chain that consists of an extremely weak narrator. Some Muhaddithun have also declared him a suspected fabricator.
(Refer: Talkhisul Mustadrak and Lisanul Mizan, vol. 6 pg. 97 -5616-. Also see Ithaful Maharah of Hafiz Ibn Hajar, Hadith: 8894)
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has also recorded this Hadith with another chain of narrators. However this chain also consists of a fabricator and does not lend support to the first Hadith.
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 4120. Refer: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 1 pg. 454 -501-)
There are many verses of the Holy Quran as well as authentic Hadiths which encourage showing gratitude, forgiving and being tolerant. These should be quoted instead.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar