Question

Is the following story authentic?

Abu Mi’laq Al Ansari (radiyallahu ‘anhu) was travelling and was approached by an armed thief. The Sahabi requested the thief to allow him to read four rakats of Salah. The thief allowed him and the Sahabi read Salah then made a du’a. A horseman came and killed the thief.

 

Answer

Imam Ibn Abid Dunya (rahimahullah) has recorded this incident in ‘Kitabu Mujabid Da’wah’. Hafiz ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has also cited the incident in ‘Al Isabah’, under the biography of this Sahabi, Abu Mi’laq.

(Kitabu Mujabid Da’wah, Number: 23 and Al Isabah, vol. 7 pg. 313)

 

Although the chain of narrators is weak, the biographers of Sahabah have mentioned that there are other chains for this narration, which would obviously lend support to each other.

(Tajridu Asma-is Sahabah of Hafiz Dhahabi, vol. 2 pg. 204 and Usdul Ghabah, vol. 6 pg. 289)

 

These additional chains are recorded by Imam Abu Musa Al-Madidni (rahimahullah). Unfortunately I don’t have access to these chains to make a specific comment on them.

 

A similar occurrence is reported about the Sahabi; Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Harithah (radiyallahu’anhu)

(Al-Isti’ab of Ibn ‘Abdil Barr)

 

Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) has also quoted a similar incident in his tafsir concerning a ‘non Sahabi’.

(Surah Naml, Ayah: 62)

 

See the full narration here

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar