Remaining steadfast and the importance of protecting the tongue

Question

Is this Hadith authentic?

Sufyan bin ‘Abdullah said:

I said: “O Messenger of Allah! Inform me about a matter that I may hold fast to.” He said: ‘Say: My Lord is Allah, then be steadfast.’ I said: “O Messenger of Allah! What do you fear most for me?” So he took hold of his tongue and said: ‘This.'”

Answer

Imams Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah (rahimahumallah) have recorded this Hadith. Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith authentic (hasanun sahih).

Sayyiduna Sufyan ibn ‘Abdillah Ath Thaqafi (radiyallahu ‘anhu) says, I said, O Messenger of Allah! Inform me of something that I may hold fast on to. He said, ‘Say, ‘My Rabb is Allah and then be steadfast.’ I said, O Rasulullah! What is the thing that you fear most for me?’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) took hold of his tongue and said, ‘This.'” [i.e. not controlling the tongue]

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2410 and Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3972)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar