Question

What is the grade of this narration?

Three matters done in seriousness are serious and their being done jokingly are serious; marriage, divorce and taking back a wife.

Answer

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

There are three things which, whether undertaken seriously or in jest, are treated as serious; Marriage, divorce and taking back a wife (after a revocable divorce)

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1184, Sunan Abi Dawud: Hadith: 2194 and Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 2039)

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has classified the above Hadith as sound (hasan).

Note: Some versions of this narration mention ‘freeing a slave’ in place of taking back a wife after a revocable divorce.

(Refer: Nasbur Rayah, vol. 3 pg. 293/294)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar