Question
What is the status of following Hadith Qudsi? Is it an Israely Riwayah (Historical Narration) and can we attribute it to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as his statement?
“I am Allah, there is no king besides Me I am king of kings, The hearts of kings are in My control. When My servants obey me, then I fill their king’s hearts with leniency and mercy. When My servants disobey Me, then I fill their kings hearts with vengeance and hatred towards them, so then the kings harm and punish them, Do not busy yourself in cursing them rather remember Allah and make yourselves humble, I will suffice you against these kings”.
(Hilyatul Awliya)
Answer
Imams Tabarani and Abu Nu’aym (rahimahumallah) have recorded this narration as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), on the authority of Sayyiduna Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 8957 and Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 2, pg. 388)
This Hadith Qudsi is transmitted with an extremely weak chain of narrators. Imam Daraqutni (rahimahullah) has stated that its attribution to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is incorrect, rather Malik ibn Dinar (rahimahullah) has stated that he had seen this narration in some [Historical] scriptures of the past. Imam Daraqutni (rahimahullah) states that this is closer to being correct.
(Refer: Al ‘Ilalul Mutanahiyah, Hadith: 1281 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 5, pg. 249)
Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah (rahimahullah) has recorded a very similar narration wherein Malik ibn Mighwal (rahimahullah) says that the quote in question was recorded in Dawud’s (‘alayhis salam) Zabur.
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 35359 and 35401)
This Hadith should not be quoted as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), rather it may be quoted as a historical (Israely) narration, as has been reported by Malik ibn Dinar and Malik ibn Mighwal (rahimahumallah) in the above references.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar