Question

Is the following Hadith authentic?

Sayyidah ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) says, “I asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ‘does anyone have good deeds equal to the number of stars’? He replied, ‘yes, ‘Umar. I asked, ‘What about the good deeds of Abu Bakr’? He replied, ‘All the good deeds of ‘Umar are like one good deed of Abu Bakr” (Razin)

Answer

Hafiz Khatib Al Baghdadi (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith with a chain that consists of a fabricator. He himself has declared many Hadiths of this narrator as fabrications. ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has also declared the Hadith a fabrication.

(Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 7, pg. 643/4. Refer: Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 1, pg. 290, number: 1099, Lisanul Mizan, vol. 2, pg. 274, number: 1426 and Al La-Alil Masnu’ah, vol. 1, pg. 279 )

Imam Razin ibn Mu’awiyah has also cited this narration in his book. The author of Mishkatul Masabih has referenced this narration to him. See the first part of this answer for details regarding Imam Razin’s kitab.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar