Question

Is the Hadith regarding ‘أفعمياوان أنتما’ authentic? In one place in Fathul Bari, Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has mentioned ‘مختلف في صحته’ and in another place ‘قوي’.

 

Answer

The Hadith you are referring to is recorded in Sunan Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi Dawud and other Hadith collections.

Nabhan, the freed slave of Sayyidah Ummu Salamah (radiyallahu ‘anha) reported that Ummu Salamah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said that she and Maymunah (radiyallahu ‘anha) were with Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) when Ibnu Ummi Maktum (radiyallahu ‘anhu) entered and this was after we had been commanded with hijab. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Veil yourselves from him.” Ummu Salamah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said: “O Rasulullah! Is he not blind? He can neither see us nor recognise us?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Are you two blind? Can’t you see him?”

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2778, Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 4109)

 

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith authentic (hasanun sahih). Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has also declared the Hadith authentic.

(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 5575-5576)

 

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has discussed the authenticity of this Hadith twice in Fathul Bari. In the first place he merely states that there is a difference of opinion with regard to the authenticity of this Hadith without issuing his own verdict.

(وهو حديث مختلف في صحته وسيأتي للمسألة مزيد بسط في موضعه إن شاء الله تعالى)

When Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) discusses the authenticity for a second time, he grades the Hadith authentic (qawiyy). He further elaborates by saying that the reason for which the authenticity could be challenged is not a legitimate one.

(وإسناده قوي وأكثر ما علل به انفراد الزهري بالرواية عن نبهان وليست بعلة قادحة فإن من يعرفه الزهري ويصفه بأنه مكاتب أم سلمة ولم يجرحه أحد لا ترد روايته)

(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 454, vol. 1 pg. 549 and Hadith: 5236)

 

This should therefore not be viewed as a contradiction from Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah).

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar