Question

Is the following often quoted narration reliable?

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) that if through you one person is guided it will be enough for your salvation

 

Answer

Imams Bukhari and Muslim (rahimahumallah) have recorded this narration. The Hadith is therefore authentic.

The wording is as follows:

Sahl ibn Sa’d (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reported that on the day of Khaybar Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Tomorrow, I will certainly hand over the flag to someone through whom [Allah] will grant victory. He loves Allah and his Messenger and Allah and his Messenger love him. They spent the night all wondering who among them will be given [the flag]. They awoke all hopeful. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Where is ‘Ali?’ It was said, ‘He is suffering from an eye ache.’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) placed his saliva in his eye and made du’a. It was cured as though there was no ailment and then handed the flag to him. ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) asked, ‘Should I fight them until they become like us [i.e. Muslims]. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied, ‘Proceed calmly and when you enter their land, invite them to Islam and inform them of what is compulsory upon them for by Allah, that Allah guide one man through you is better for you than having than red camels [Red camels were among the most precious form of wealth among the Arabs].

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3009,3701, 4210 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2406)

 

Also see here

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar