Question

Is the Hadith of Darraj from Abil Haytham acceptable. Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has classified the Hadith as sound (hasan) but others classify it as weak (da’if).

What is correct opinion.

Answer

Imam Ibn ‘Adiy has identified a few Hadiths wherein Darraj could’ve erred. In my humble opinion, besides those examples, this chain is acceptable. I prepared a short research on it in Arabic a few years ago, the summary of which is below:

1,2,3) Imams Ibn Ma’in, Hakim and Ibn ‘Adiy (rahimahumullah) have all explicitly authenticated this particular chain.

(Tahdhibul Kamal, vol. 2, pg. 433 (1782), Mustadrak, vol. 1, pg. 499, vol. 2, pg. 246-247 and 42, and Al-Kamil, vol. 2, pg. 16 (647). Also see Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, pg. 250 (588).)

4) Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has reported thirteen Hadiths with this chain. He has authenticated (hasan gharib/ hasan sahih gharib) four of them. One has no comment, and the remaining are weak due to other defected narrators that appear in the chain before Darraj.

5) Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (rahimahullah) has declared three such Hadiths as sahih.

6) Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has declared twenty eight of them sahih.

7) Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) had declared twenty three such Hadiths as sahih.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar