Question
What is the authenticity of the following narration?
The dates in Jannah will be the size of big pitcher. They will be whiter than milk, sweeter than honey and softer than butter and free of pits.
Answer
Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abid Dunya and Imam Hakim (rahimahumallah) have recorded the following narration as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) and not a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam):
“The branches of the date palms in Jannah are of emeralds, the roots of the leaves are reddish gold. The leaves will be used as garments for the inhabitants of Jannah. The [dates] will be the [size] of jars/pitchers, which will be will be whiter than milk, sweeter than honey and softer than butter and free of pits”
(Sifatul Jannah, Hadith: 50 and Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2 pg. 475/476)
Imam Hakim has declared the narration authentic and ‘Allamah Dhahabi concurs. ‘Allamah Mundhiri has graded the chain of narrators of Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abid Dunya reliable (jayyid).
(Targhib, vol. 4 pg. 523)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar