Question
Is the following Hadith authentic?
حدثنا يحيى بن عبد الحميد نبا يوسف بن عطية نبا ثابت عن انس رضي الله عنه قال أن امرأة كانت تحت رجل فمرض أبوها فأتت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالت يا رسول الله إن أبي مريض وزوجي يأبى أن يأذن لي أن أمرضه فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أطيعي زوجك فمات أبوها فاستأذنت زوجها أن تصلي عليه فأبى زوجها أن يأذن لها في الصلاة فسألت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال لها أطيعي زوجك فأطاعت زوجها ولم تصل على أبيها فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قد غفر الله لأبيك بطواعيتك زوجك
Answer
The version which you have cited above has been transmitted with a very weak chain.
(Al Muntakhab Min Musnad ‘Abd ibn Humayd, Hadith: 1369 and Musnadul Harith; Bughyatul Bahith, Hadith: 499. Refer: Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 5, pg. 192/193)
However Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded a very similar narration with a weak chain. This version may be quoted instead.
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports:
A man left home and ordered his wife not to leave her house [in his absence]. Her father lived on the bottom floor and she lived above. Her father became ill. She sent a message to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) informing him of her father’s sickness [seeking permission to go against her husband’s command and take care of her father]. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) responded, ‘Obey your husband.’ Thereafter, her father passed away so she sent a message to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) [seeking permission to attend his Janazah]. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) again responded, ‘Obey your husband.’
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then sent her a message saying, ‘Allah Ta’ala has forgiven your father due to you obeying your husband’.
(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 7644)
‘Allamah ‘Iraqi and Hafiz Haythami (rahimahumallah) have declared the chain of narrators weak.
(Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 1563 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 4, pg. 313)
Despite the weakness of this version, it may be quoted to encourage the obedience towards the husband.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar