Question

What is the status of this narration?

عن عاصم عن أنس قال: من لم تفته الركعة الأولى من الصلاة أربعين يوما كتبت له براءتان، براءة من النار، وبراءة من النفاق

 

Answer

Imam ‘Abdur Razzaq (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as the statement of Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu). The narration is suitable to quote.

Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “Whoever does not miss the first rak’ah of Salah for forty days will be granted two exemptions; an exemption from the fire and a [protection] from hypocrisy.”

(Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq, Hadith: 2019)

 

The nature of this narration is not such that Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) could have made applying logic. It would therefore be understood that he heard this from Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

A similar narration appears in Amali Ibn Bishran and Tarikh Baghdad on the authority of Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). This chain is weak.

(Amali Ibn Bishran, Hadith: 1649, Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 13 pg. 301)

 

Some Fuqaha were of the view that to achieve the rewards of takbir ula, a person needs to get the first rak’ah and not necessarily start the Salah with the Imam. (Raddul Muhtar, vol. 1 pg. 526). Kindly refer to a Mufti/Darul Ifta for further details.

 

Also see here

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar