Question

I wanted to know the authenticity and explanation of the following Hadith:

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Performing two rak’ahs of Salah is an expiation for any quarrel.”

Is this in general for any quarrel or specific to spouses? If one party offers this only will it suffice?

 

Answer

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Umamah Al Bahili (radiyallahu ‘anhu). ‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) has declared the chain weak.

(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 7651, Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar: 2858. Also see: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 2 pg. 251)

 

However, this Hadith is also recorded in Al Mu’jam of Imam Ibn A’arabi and Fawaid Tammam on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has also recorded the narration as the statement of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Shaykh Ahmad Siddiq Al Ghumari has declared this chain authentic (sahih).

(Mu’jam Ibnul A’arabi, Hadith: 1811, Al Fawaid of Tammam, Hadith: 939, Ma’rifatu ‘Ulumil Hadith of Imam Hakim: 143 and Al Mudawi, Hadith :1425)

 

The Hadith is therefore corroborated and suitable to quote.

 

Commentary

The Hadith is general and refers to any quarrel, not specifically a quarrel with one’s spouse.

The commentators explain that one should first perform wudu and then offer these two rak’ahs as this will calm the person down and remove his anger.

Therefore if only one person offers this Salah, it will suffice for him only. [The Salah will also expiate any vulgar words he used in that quarrel. If the other party wishes for his sins to be expiated he too will have to offer two rak’ahs].

(Refer: Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 3355)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar