Question

Kindly provide the source and authenticity of the following narration:

Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) has narrated: “Verily there is a river in Jannah (paradise) called Al-Baydakh. Upon it there are domes made of precious jewels, and beneath it there are maidens growing [like plants], singing the Quran.

The people of Jannah will say: Come with us to Al-Baydakh. When they reach, they will [begin to] examine those maidens. When one of them [i.e., the people of Jannah] then fancies a maiden, he will place his hand upon her wrist. She will then follow him and another will grow in her place [i.e., in place of her].”

Answer

Imams Ibn Abid Dunya, Abu Nu’aym, and others (rahimahumullah) have recorded this narration as the statement of Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).

(Sifatul Jannah of Ibn Abid Dunya, Hadith: 69 and Sifatul Jannah of Abu Nu’aym, Hadith: 324; Also see: Hadil Arwah, pg. 390, Daru ‘Alamil Fawaid edition, and Ithafus Sadatil Muttaqin, vol. 10, pg. 543)

‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) has mentioned that all the narrators are reliable.

(Al-Budurus Safirah, Hadith: 1927)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar