Question
Is the following Hadith authentic?
‘Whoever does not care for the affairs of the Muslims is not among us’
Answer
Caring for a fellow believer, and the Ummah at large is a noble trait, a great Sunnah as well as the quality of the pious.
The Hadith in question is reported by several Sahabah, among them Sayyiduna Anas, Sayyiduna Abu Dharr and Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (radiyallahu ‘anhum). Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) and ‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) have classified this Hadith as weak.
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 10102 and Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 1993)
Caring for other Muslims is definitely part of Iman and encouraged in numerous authentic narrations. ‘After citing the grading of ‘Allamah ‘Iraqi, ‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) cites other narrations which support the meaning of the Hadith in question. Among them are the following narrations:
1) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
‘Love for others what you love for yourself, you will be a Muslim/true believer‘
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2305, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 4217)
2) Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
‘None of you are [true] believers until you love for your brother what you love for yourself’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 13, and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 168)
(Al Ajwibatul ‘Aliyyah ‘Anil As-ilatid Dimyatiyyah, pgs. 57-63)
Other supports for the Hadith in question
3) Rasullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
‘The believers are like a building, they support and strengthen each other’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 481 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2585)
4) Sayyiduna Nu’man ibn Bashir (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
‘The believers in their mutual mercy, love and compassion are like a body, when one limb is in pain the rest of the body joins in insomnia, fever and restlessness’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 6011, Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2586)
In conclusion, the Hadith in question although weak is sufficiently substantiated and therefore suitable to quote.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar