Question

What is the authenticity of the following Hadith?

“Whoever performs Tawaf around the Ka’bah and prays two rak’ah, it is as if he freed a slave”

 

Answer

Imam Ibn Majah (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 2956)

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) and others have also recorded these words as part of a longer narration. The words in this version are as follows:

“…Whomsoever performs seven rounds of Tawaf [together with counting the rounds properly, carrying out the prerequisites and being wary of the etiquette of Tawaf] it is as if he freed a slave…”

(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 959)

Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has declared this Hadith sound (hasan). Imam Ibn Khuzaymah, Imam Hakim and Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahumullah) have declared the Hadith authentic.

(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith: 2753, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1, pg. 489. Refer: Tuhfatul Ahwadhi, Hadith: 959 regarding the explanatory translation)

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar narration, which has the words “And does not carry any futile acts during the Tawaf…”

(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 845, volume: 20)

‘Allamah Mundhiri and Hafiz Haythami have declared the narrators reliable.

(Targhib, vol. 2, pg. 191, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 3, pg. 245)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar