Question
Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu’anhu) stayed only two years with Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam). But the number of Hadith referenced through him are more than any one else. Can you shed some light on this please?
Answer
1. Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu’anhu) stayed with Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) for four years, and not two.
(Irshadus Sari, hadith: 3591)
2. He indeed reported much more Hadiths than other Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum).
Among the reasons for this are:
1) His constant companionship of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) – as he himself pointed out.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates:
“People say Abu Hurayrah narrated a lot [of Hadiths]! I would not have narrated a Hadith if it weren’t for two verses in the Quran, then he recited,
“Verily, those who conceal what We have revealed of the clear evidence and the guidance, after We made it clear for mankind in the Book, they are those that Allah does curse them and [also] curse them those who curse.” (Surah Baqarah, Verse: 159)
“Except those who repent, reform and make manifest [the truth], it is they whose repentance I shall accept, and I am the Oft Returning, Most Merciful.” (Surah Baqarah, Verse: 160)
Verily our brethren from the Muhajirin were occupied with bargaining in the market, and our brethren from the Ansar were busy with their wealth [agriculture], and Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) use to stick with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) content with what fills his stomach, and attending what they could not attend, and memorising what they could not memorise.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 118)
2) The special procedure that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) carried out on Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu’anhu) when he complained to Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) about forgetting the Hadiths he would hear from him.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallah ‘anhu) narrates:
“I said, O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), I hear from you many Hadiths which I forget, He [Rasulullah] said “Spread your shawl”, so I spread it, then he [Rasulullah] scooped his hands, then Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Wrap yourself [with this shawl]”, so I did accordingly, after which I never forgot anything”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 119)
3) The du’a of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) which was made at the request of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah. The du’a was that he must never forget his knowledge..
Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Thabit (radiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates:
“Abu Hurayrah, myself and another were by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) when he said, “Make du’a”
My companion and myself made du’a to which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made amin, then Abu Hurayrah made du’a:
“O Allah, I ask You the like of what my two companions asked You and I ask You for knowledge that won’t be forgotten.”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said amin.
So we said, “We want the like, O Rasulullah”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “[Abu Hurayrah] has surpassed you’ll.”
(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 119)
4) His true thirst and zeal for memorising Hadith.
Even Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) testified to the extreme zeal that Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah had for Hadith.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates:
“I said, O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), who will be the most fortunate person, who will gain your intercession on the day of Qiyamah?
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“I thought that none will ask about this Hadith before you, because I see your zeal for [learning] Hadith, the most fortunate person, who will gain my intercession on the day of Qiyamah is the one who said la ilaha illahu, sincerely from his heart.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 99)
5) The Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) also testified to him being most acquainted with Hadith.
Sayyiduna ‘Abdulllah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu’anhuma) once said to Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu’anhu):
‘You kept the company of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) the most and you are the most knowledgable among us of his Hadith.’
(Sunan Sa’id ibn Mansur; see Fathul Bari, Hadith: 1324)
We firmly believe that Allah Ta’ala selected Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu’anhu) for this special task, and that he was a living miracle of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam).
Therefore one should not be affected by the baseless objections of the mischievous ones on this topic.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,
assisted by Moulana Yusuf Badsha.
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar