Question

Is this Hadith authentic?

عن علي رضي الله عنه قال: إني عبد الله، وأخو رسوله، وأنا الصديق الأكبر لا يقولها بعدي إلا كاذب، صليت قبل الناس بسبع سنين قبل أن يعبده أحد من هذه الأمة

 

Answer

This narration is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Mustadrak Hakim and other Hadith collections.

Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “I am servant of Allah and the brother of the Messenger of Allah. I am ‘As Siddiq Al Akbar’ [the greatest truthful one in my time], none will say this after me except a liar. I offered Salah seven years before anyone from this ummah.”

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 120, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 3 pg. 112)

 

‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has declared the narration a fabrication (باطل). In Mizanul I’tidal, ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has stated that this is a fabrication against ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) (كذب على عليّ). Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) has declared the text of the Hadith unreliable (منكر بحال).

(Talkhisul Mustadrak and Al Bidayah Wan Nihayah, vol. 3 pg. 223. Also see Shaykh ‘Awwamah’s -hafizahullah- footnotes on Musannaf, Hadith: 32747)

 

The narration should therefore not be quoted.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar