Question

What is status of this narration and can this specific Hadith be quoted?

من صلى بين المغرب والعشاء عشرين ركعة بنى الله له بيتا في الجنة

Whoever offers twenty rak’ahs of [optional] Salah between Maghrib and ‘Isha, Allah will build a home in Jannah for him

 

Answer

Imam Ibn Majah (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith.

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1373)

The chain of narrators consists of an extremely weak narrator. Imams Ahmad, Ibn Ma’in, Abu Hatim, Ibn Hibban (rahimahumullah) have declared him a fabricator. Other Muhaddithun have declared him very weak.

After citing this Hadith, ‘Allamah Mundhiri (rahimahullah) also states regarding this narrator, ‘Imam Ahmad and other Muhaddithun have declared him a liar.’

(Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 5, pg. 181, Tahdhibut Tahdhib, vol. 11, pg. 397/398, Targhib, vol. 1, pg. 404 and Zawaid Ibn Majah, Hadith: 448)

Although this specific Hadith is not suitable to quote, the offering of optional prayers between Maghrib and ‘Isha is supported through Verses of the Holy Quran and other narrations. See here and here.

Also see: Hukmul ‘Amal Bil Hadithid Da’if of Shaykh ‘Awwamah, pg. 105-106.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar