Question

Is this Hadith authentic?

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Three are the matters that destroy;… Selfishness that is obeyed…” [i.e., acting in accordance to miserliness]

Answer

This narration is recorded in several Hadith collections, as part of a longer Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa and Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhum).

(Musnad Bazzar, Hadith: 3366, 6491 and 7293, Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 5448 and 5750)

Although most of these chains have some weakness, ‘Allamah Mundhiri (rahimahullah) has stated that these chains when combined, raise the level of the Hadith to sound (hasan).

(Targhib, vol. 1, pg. 286. Also see: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 1, pg. 90, pg. 91)

Shaykh Ahmad Siddiq Al Ghumari (rahimahullah) has cited these corroborating chains.

(Al Mudawi, Hadith: 1475)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar