Correct wording of the famous Hadith ‘Khayrul quruni qarni’

Question

Are the correct words of the famous Hadith: ‘Khayrul quruni qarni’ or ‘Khayru ummati qarni’?

Answer

This Hadith has been reported with several different wordings;

Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded two versions of this narration:

1) Khayru ummati qarni (خير امتي قرني)

2) Khayrun nasi qarni (خير الناس قرني)

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3650 and 3651)

 

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded the following words:

3) Khayrul qarni qarni (خير القرن قرني)

(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 540 -vol. 17- with a weak chain. Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10 pg. 20)

 

Hafiz Ibn ‘Asakir (rahimahullah) has recorded the following words:

4) Khayrul quruni qarni (خير القرون قرني)

(Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 67 pg. 37 with a weak chain)

 

The first two would be the ideal wordings as these are the wordings recorded by Imam Bukhari and numerous other Muhaddithun.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar