Question

Kindly verify the authenticity of the following Hadith:

 يظهر في آخر الزمان قوم يسمون الرافضه يرفضون الاسلام

Translation: Towards the end of time a nation called the “Rafidah” (a type of Shi’ah)  will appear, they will reject and abandon Islam.

Answer

The narration in question is recorded in Musnad Ahmad on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) with a weak chain.

(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, pg. 103. Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10, pg. 22)

However the above narration is supported and strengthened by the following weak narration:

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

Towards the end of time a nation called the “Rafidah” (a type of Shi’ah) will appear, they will reject and abandon Islam. So fight them for verily they are polytheists.

(Musnadul Harith; Bughyatul Bahith, Hadith: 1043, under the chapter “Those who swear the Sahabah”, Musnad Abu Ya’la, Hadith: 2586, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10, pg. 22 and Mukhtasar Ithafus Sadah Al Maharah, Hadith: 4104)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar