Question

Are the Hadiths that have been cited in the chapter of “The Fitnah from the Maghrib Region” of Nu’aym ibn Hammad’s (rahimahullah) compilation authentic?

For example, the following narration wherein it is reported that:

Sayyiduna ‘Ismah ibn Qays (radiyallahu ‘anhu) used to seek refuge in Allah Ta’ala from the fitnah (trial) of the East. Someone then asked him: “What about the fitnah of the West (Maghrib)?”

He (i.e., Sayyiduna ‘Ismah – radiyallahu ‘anhu) then replied: “That (fitnah) will be even more catastrophic and devastating!”

(Kitabul Fitan, Hadith: 848)

Answer

All of the Hadiths mentioned throughout Imam Nu’aym ibn Hammad’s (rahimahullah) book, Kitabul Fitan, would have to be inspected individually; it is not possible to pass a blanket ruling.

For more information regarding Imam Nu’aym ibn Hammad (rahimahullah) and his book, see here.

As for the aforementioned statement of Sayyiduna ‘Ismah ibn Qays (radiyallahu ‘anhu), it has also been reported by Imam Tabarani and others (rahimahumullah).

(Al-Mu’jamul Kabir; Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 7, pg. 220; Also see: Ma’rifatus Sahabah, pg. 2146, Number: 2237, Al-Isti’ab, pg. 1069, Number: 1811, Usdul Ghabah, vol. 4, pg. 37, and Al-Isabah, vol. 1, pgs. 365-367, Number: 516)

‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has graded all the narrators in the chain as reliable (rijaluhu thiqat).

(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 7, pg. 220)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar