Question

Is this Hadith authentic?

“The Angels seek forgiveness on behalf those women who have locks of hair and men who have beards. They say, ‘glory be to The One who has beautified men with beards and women with locks of hair”

Answer

Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration in his Tarikh on the authority of Sayyidah ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha). This chain consists of a narrator who has been accused of fabricating Hadith.

(Refer: Dhaylul La-Alil Masnu’ah, vol. 1, pg. 94, Hadith: 98. Refer: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 3, pg. 162/163)

Imam Ibn ‘Asakir (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar narration as the statement of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu). However he has declared the text of the Hadith extremely unreliable (munkarun jiddan).

(Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 36, pg. 343. Refer: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 7, pg. 512 and Dhaylul La-Alil Masnu’ah, vol. 1, pg. 93, Hadith: 97)

The narration is not suitable to quote as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) nor as the statement of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

There are authentic narrations regarding lengthening the beard. These should be quoted instead.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar