Authenticity of a Wasiyyah to ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu)

Question

Is the following wasiyyah of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) authentic?

“Refrain from sleeping between Fajr and Ishraq, ‘Asr and Maghrib, and Maghrib and ‘Isha.
Avoid sitting with stingy people.
Do not sleep among people who are sitting.
Do not eat or drink with your left hand.
Do not eat food you have removed from between your teeth.
Do not crack your knuckles.
Do not look in the mirror at night.
Do not look at the sky during salah.
Do not spit in the toilet.
Do not clean your teeth with charcoal.
Sit down when putting on your trousers.
Do not break hard things with your teeth.
Do not blow on hot food.
Do not look for the faults of others.
Do not speak between the adhan and iqamah.
Do not speak in the toilet.
Do not spread tales about your friends.
Do not antagonise your friends.
Do not keep looking behind you while walking.
Do not stamp your feet while walking.
Do not be suspicious of your friends.
Do not tell lies at any time.
Do not smell your food before eating it.
Speak clearly so that others can understand.
Avoid travelling alone.
Do not make decisions on your own; consult those who know.
Do not be arrogant.
Do not be upset about your food.
Do not boast.
Do not chase beggars away.
Treat your guests well and wholeheartedly.
Be patient in poverty.
Assist a good cause.
Reflect on your faults and repent.
Do good to those who treat you badly.
Be content with what you have.
Do not sleep excessively, as it causes forgetfulness.
Repent at least one hundred times a day.
Do not eat in the dark.
Do not take large mouthfuls.”

Answer

I have not come across this as a complete narration in any authentic primary or secondary Hadith source. Parts of this advice are found in Shi‘i books.

The narration should not be quoted until it can be sourced and then verified.

Note:

Some individual points in the list, such as eating with the right hand and honouring guests, are established through authentic Ahadith.

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5376 and 6018)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Arabic References

التخريج من المصادر العربية:

صحيح البخاري:
(5376) – حدثنا علي بن عبد الله، أخبرنا سفيان، قال الوليد بن كثير: أخبرني أنه سمع وهب بن كيسان، أنه سمع عمر بن أبي سلمة، يقول: كنت غلاما في حجر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وكانت يدي تطيش في الصحفة، فقال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «يا غلام، سم الله، وكل بيمينك، وكل مما يليك» فما زالت تلك طعمتي بعد.

(6018) – حدثنا قتيبة بن سعيد، حدثنا أبو الأحوص، عن أبي حصين، عن أبي صالح، عن أبي هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فلا يؤذ جاره، ومن كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليكرم ضيفه، ومن كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليقل خيرا أو ليصمت».