Question

Please provide a reference and translation of the following Hadith:

إن أَخْوَفُ مَا أَخَافُ عَلَى أُمَّتِي كل مُنَافِقٍ عَلِيمِ اللِّسَانِ

Answer

This Hadith is recorded by Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) in his musnad on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has also recorded a version from Sayyiduna ‘Imran ibn Husayn (radiyallahu ‘anhu) in his Sahih.

(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, pg. 22 and pg. 44 and Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al-Ihsan, Hadith: 80. Also see: Sharhul ihya, vol. 1, pg. 378)

Translation

The thing I fear the most on my Ummah, is [them being misled by] a hypocrite who has a knowledgeable tongue.

This Hadith warns us of the existence of “speakers” who may have knowledge on their tongues, but not in their hearts.

One should be wary of such lecturers. See here for more on the topic of choosing the correct lecturer.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar