Question

What is the status of this Hadith?

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“The most beloved places to Allah are the Masjids, and the most hated places to Allah are the souks (market places).”

A man came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and asked: “O Rasulullah! Which cities are the vilest?’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘I do not know.’ Later when Jibril (‘alayhis salam) appeared, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked: ‘O Jibril! Which are the vilest cities?’ Jibril (‘alayhis salam) said: ‘I do not know, I have to ask my Rabb.’ After some time, he returned, and said: ‘O Muhammad! Verily, you asked me: ‘Which are the vilest cities?’ I had said that ‘I do not know.’ I have asked my Rabb, He says: ‘The souks (market places)'”

Answer

These are two separate narrations. Imam Muslim (rahimahullah) has recorded the first Hadith in his Sahih on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu). The Hadith is therefore authentic.

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 671)

The second Hadith has been recorded by various Muhaddithun including Imam Ahmad and Imam Abu Ya’la (rahimahumallah) on the authority of Sayyiduna Jubayr ibn Mut’im (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith authentic and Hafiz Haythami (rahimahullah) has declared the narrators of Musnad Ahmad and Musnad Abu Ya’la reliable.

(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1, pg. 89/90, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 4, pg. 81, Musnad Abu Ya’la, Hadith: 7403. Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 4, pg. 76)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar