Question
How authentic is the following Hadith?
إن الله تبارك وتعالى قرأ طه و يس قبل أن يخلق السماوات والأرض بألف عام، فلما سمعت الملائكة القرآن، قالت: طوبى لأمة ينزل هذا عليها، وطوبى لأجواف تحمل هذا، وطوبى لألسنة تتكلم بهذا
Answer
Imam Darimi (rahimahullah) and others have recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Sunan Darimi, Hadith: 3457)
However, Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) has declared the text unreliable (fihi nakarah).
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, before Surah Taha. Also see: Kitabul Majruhin Minal Muhaddithin, vol. 1 pg. 105, Lisanul Mizan, vol. 1 pg. 369, Ithaful Maharah of Hafiz Ibn Hajar, Hadith: 19354, Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 1 pg. 139)
Translation
Allah Ta’ala recited Surah Taha and Surah Yasin one thousand (1000) years before creating the skies and earth. When the angels heard the Quran, they said, ‘Glad tidings for that nation upon whom the Quran is revealed, glad tidings to those hearts who memorise it and glad tidings for those tongues who recite it”
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar