Question
Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) said:
”Sleeping early in the day leads to withholding of sustenance”
I have read the following regarding the authenticity of this narration:
Imam Suyuti says Sahih but Al-Albany says weak and Darussalam says fabricated.
Which verdict is correct?
Answer
One should understand that the gradings of the Scholars on Hadith is open to difference of opinion, just as is the case with other issues. Therefore, one should stick to a particular reliable source for such rulings on Hadith. Scouting around leads to the confusion that you are experiencing.
My view
There are numerous narrations (some of them from Rasulullah -sallallahu’alayhi wasallam- and some from the Sahabah) which discourage sleeping between Subah Sadiq (true dawn) and sunrise. Some of these Hadiths do cite the warning of deprivation of sustenance for those who sleep during this time.
(Musnad Ahmad (min zawaidi ‘Abdillah), vol.1 pg.73, Sharh Mushkilil Athar of Tahawi, Hadith: 1074 & before it, Shu’bul-Iman of Imam Bayhaqi, Hadith: 4402-4410, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 27212, Also see: Targhib, vol.2 pg.530-531, Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 615 & Al-Mudawi, Hadith: 2151)
Although none of them have a reliable chain, but when all are combined, the Hadith in question does acquire sufficient strength and can therefore be relied upon. ‘Allamah Zurqani (rahimahullah) has declared this Hadith as sound (hasan lighayrihi).
(Mukhtasarul Maqasidil Hasanah, Hadith: 574, also see Tanzihush-Shari’ah, vol.2 pg.196)
Other support
Besides this, it has been narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) did make du’a for barakah (blessing) in the sustenance of his ummah in the early part of the morning.
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1212. Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) declared this Hadith as sound- hasan. Also see Al-Futuhatur Rabbaniyyah, vol.3 pg.72-73)
i.e. To set out in search of (sustenance) in the early part of the morning will be a means of barakah (blessings), – through the du’a of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam).
One who does not do so will be deprived of this particular du’a of Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wa sallam).
In light of the above narrations, one is discouraged from sleeping after Fajr at all.
‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) explains the reasons for this deprivation to be:
1) The early morning is actually the time for the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah ‘Azza wa Jall.
2) It is also the time to earn one’s livelihood.
(Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 615. Also see Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 5129)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar