Question

I have located this Hadith in Al Mu’jamul Awsat and wanted to know the authenticity:

 الغيبة اشد من الزنا

Backbiting is worse than adultery

 

Answer

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as you have stated. However, ‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has declared a narrator extremely weak.

(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 6586, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 8 pg. 91/92)

 

This narration should be quoted as the statement of Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah (rahimahullah) and not as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). See here

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar