An unreliable narration from Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu)

Question

Is the following Hadith authentic?

The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiyallahu ‘anhu): “What is the first thing Allah blessed you with? He said, ‘that He made me a man.'”

Answer

This narration is part of a Hadith collection (nuskhah) that has been declared a fabrication. The narration is therefore not suitable to quote.

(Refer: Dhaylul La-Alil Masnu’ah, vol. 2 pg. 788, number: 1006 and Lisanul Mizan, vol. 1 pg. 404, number: 391)

The narration in question is as follows:

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) once asked ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiyallahu ‘anhu), “What is the first bounty Allah bestowed upon you?” He replied, ‘That he made me a male.’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked, ‘Then what?’ ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, ‘That he made me a Muslim.'”

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar