Question

Kindly verify and provide the reference for the following Hadith regarding the Abdal:

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“At all times in my Ummah, there will be five hundred chosen servants and forty Abdal. When anyone of these passes away then immediately he is succeeded by another.”

The Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) inquired: “What are their exclusive deeds?”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam replied: “They overlook the injustices of the transgressors, and they show kindness to those who ill-treat them, and from the sustenance provided for them by Allah, they engender sympathy and graciousness”

 

Answer

Imam Abu Nu’aym and others have recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).

(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 1 pg. 8)

 

However, the Muhaddithun have declared this Hadith unreliable.

(Refer: Talkhisu Kitabil Mawdu’at, Hadith: 841, Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 3973, Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 2 pg. 306. Also see: Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 8)

 

Although the Hadith in question is not suitable to quote, there are other reliable Hadiths on the topic of Abdals. See here.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar