An unreliable narration regarding Abu Bakr’s (radiyallahu ‘anhu) regrets during his final illness

Question

There is a Hadith which states that Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) was on his death bed and he stated that he regrets three things, one of them being “I wish I had not uncovered the house of Fatima and I had left it…”

What is the status of this Hadith?

Answer

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) and other Muhaddithun have recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdur Rahman ibn ‘Awf (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 43)

‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has declared a narrator weak. He further states that this narration is from his unreliable narrations (وهذا الأثر مما أنكر عليه).

(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 5 pg. 203. Also see: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 5 pg. 473, number: 5293)

The narration is therefore not suitable to quote.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar