Question

There is a Hadith in Sahih ibn Hibban which mentions that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not offer prayers in Masjidul Aqsa during Mi’raj, what is the authenticity of this Hadith and explanation since other Hadiths mention that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had offered prayers (and led the other prophets ‘alayhimus salam in it).

Answer

You are probably referring to the statement of Sayyiduna Hudhayfah ibnul Yaman (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) recorded in Sunan Tirmidhi (Hadith: 3147), Musnad Ahmad (vol. 5, pg. 392 and pg. 394), Sahih Ibn Hibban (Hadith: 45), Musannaf Ibn Abi  Shaybah (Hadith: 32356 and 37728) and other Hadith collections wherein he told Zirr ibn Hubaysh that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not offer Salah in Baytul Maqdis.

The Hadith has been declared authentic by Imams Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban (rahimahumallah).

However, this view of Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) is contrary to the reports of many other Sahabah regarding Mi’raj. (See here)

Therefore, Imam Tahawi (rahimahullah) has stated that the narrations which prove that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) indeed offered Salah at Masjidul Aqsa are preferred. Those who are proving something have extra knowledge which is preferred (i.e., مع المثبت زيادة علم و رواية فيقدم)

Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) merely applied his intellect and reasoning to disprove this.

(Refer: Sharhu Mushkilil Athar, Hadith: 5014 and footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah -hafizahullah- on Musannaf, Hadith: 32356)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar