Question

Please provide the reference to the following:

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

Iman is a garb with which Allah clothes whomsoever He wishes. If a person commits adultery, this garb is snatched away and if he repents, it is again returned

Answer

Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has recorded the above hadith in Shu’abul Iman on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) with an extremely weak chain.

(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 4981. Lisanul Mizan, vol. 6 pg. 5819)

One should rather quote the following narration:

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Allah Ta’ala removes the Iman of that person who drinks wine or engages in adultery like how one of you removes his shirt from his head’.

(Mustadrak Hakim, vol.1 pg. 22)

Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has classified this hadith as authentic and Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahullah) concurs with him.

(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 22. Also see Al Kabair of Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahullah), hadith: 83)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar