Question

Is this Hadith reliable?

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“A man cannot become pious until he abandons permissible acts in order to save himself from impermissible acts”

Answer

Imams Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Hakim (rahimahumullah) have recorded the following narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Atiyyah As Sa’di (radiyallahu ‘anhu):

“A man will not be from the Muttaqin [Those who truly fear Allah Ta’ala] until he abandons permissible acts out of fear that he engage in impermissible acts”

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2451, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 4215 and Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4, pg. 319)

Imam Tirmidhi has graded the Hadith as sound (hasan). Imam Hakim has declared the Hadith authentic (sahih) and Hafiz Dhahabi concurs.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar