Question

Is this authentic?

“One should have a lick of honey on an empty stomach for the first three days of every month” It is a means of safety from all illnesses.

 

Answer

You are probably referring to the following Hadith recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu):

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever [eats/has a spoonful of] honey three mornings every month, will not suffer any serious calamity.”

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3450)

 

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) and ‘Allamah Busiri (rahimahullah) have declared the chain weak.

(Fathul Bari, before Hadith: 5682, vol. 10 pg. 140, Zawaid Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1140)

 

Note: ‘Allamah Tibi (rahimahullah) has mentioned that this refers to any three days of the month [not specifically the first three days]. ‘Allamah Munawi and ‘Azizi (rahimahumallah) have also quoted this explanation of ‘Allamah Tibi (rahimahullah).

(Sharhut Tibi; Al Kashif ‘An Haqaiqis Sunan, Hadith: 4570, Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 9010, As Sirajul Munir, vol. 3 pg. 387)

 

Mulla ‘Ali al Qari (rahimahullah) has stated that this refers to the first three days of the month.

(Mirqatul Mafatih, Hadith: 4570)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,

Despite it’s weakness, the Hadith is suitable for practice.

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar

 

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