I heard a story in a bayan that Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) had a cloth. Whenever he desired to clean the cloth, he would throw it into the fire and it would come out clean. When asked about this, he said that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) once used this cloth to wipe his face and therefore it does not burn.
Answer
Imam Abu Nu’aym (rahimahullah) has recorded this incident on the authority of ‘Abbad ibn ‘Abdis Samad.
(Refer: Al Khasaisul Kubra of ‘Allamah Suyuti, vol. 2 pg. 139 and Sharhuz Zurqani, vol. 7 pg. 83/84)
However ‘Abbad ibn ‘Abdis Samad has been declared extremely weak by senior Muhaddithun like Imam Bukhari and Imam Abu Hatim (rahimahumallah). Imam ‘Uqayli and Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahumallah) have further stated that he has reported many fabrications from Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Refer: Kitabul Majruhin Minal Muhaddithin, vol. 2 pg. 161/162, Lisanul Mizan, vol. 4 pg. 393 -4080- and Al Mughni Fid Du’afa, vol. 1 pg. 515)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar