Question

Is the following Hadith authentic?

“Whoever wishes to live and die like me, and to reside in the Jannah, should acknowledge ‘Ali as leader after me, and take those after him as leaders as well, and should follow the Imams after me for they are my family and are created from my clay. They have been gifted with knowledge and understanding. Woe unto those who deny their virtues and those who disregard their relationship and affinity with me, for my intercession shall never reach them”

Answer

Hafiz Abu Nu’aym (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). Imam Tabarani and Imam Hakim (rahimahumallah) have also recorded a similar narration on the authority of Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Arqam (radiyallahu ‘anhu)

(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 1 pg. 86, Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 5067 and Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 3 pg. 128)

 

Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has declared one of the narrators of the Hadith as extremely weak. He further states that the words of this narration are too feeble to be the words of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and is close to being a fabrication.

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has declared another narrator of the above Hadith as extremely weak too.

(Talkhisul Mustadrak and Al Isabah, vol. 4 pg. 6)

This Hadith should not be quoted.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar