Question

Is this Hadith authentic?

Ummul Mu’minin, Sayyidah ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) narrates that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Make the digestion process simpler by engaging in dhikr or Salah after meals. Do not sleep after meals as this creates (spiritual) hardness in the heart”

Answer

Imam Ibnus Sunni, Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) and others have recorded this narration with a few chains. However these chains consists of extremely weak narrators or fabricators.

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has stated that the Hadith is not established as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). In fact, Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) himself has expressed reservation with regards to the authenticity.

(‘Amalul Yawmi Wal Laylah, Hadith: 489, Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 5644. Refer: Nataijul Afkar, pg. 322, Al Faruq Al Hadithah edition and Al Futuhatur Rabbaniyyah, vol. 5, pg. 264)

Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has also cited a similar narration as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) without a complete chain of narrators.

(Shu’abul Iman, after Hadith: 5645)

‘Allamah Ibn Qayyim (rahimahullah) has stated that doctors encourage walking after eating and to sleep immediately after eating is quite harmful. Therefore ‘Allamah ibn Qayyim and Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahumallah) have indicated that this a worthy practice to emulate [without attributing it to Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam].

(Zadul Ma’ad, vol. 4, pg. 205 and vol. 2, pg. 370, Nataijul Afkar, pg. 322, Al Faruq Al Hadithah edition and Sharhuz Zurqani ‘Alal Mawahib, vol. 6, pg. 233)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar