What is the authenticity of the following Hadith?
Sayyiduna Abu Barzah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“The feet of the slave of Allah shall not move on the Day of Qiyamah until he is asked about four things, his body and what he did with it, about his life and what he did with it, about his wealth, how he earned it and where he spent it, and about his love of the Ahlu Bayt. It was said, ‘O Rasulullah! What is a sign that one loves [the Ahlu Bayt]?’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) placed his hand on the shoulder of ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu). [i.e. loving him is a sign that one loves the Ahlu Bayt].
Answer
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded the narration in question. However, ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith a fabrication (batil).
(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 2212, Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 1 pg. 406, number: 1570)
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). This chain also consists of a very weak narrator.
(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 11177 and Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 9402. Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10 pg. 346)
The Hadith in question is not suitable to quote.
The authentic version of this Hadith as recorded in Sunan Tirmidhi is as follows:
Sayyiduna Abu Barzah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“The feet of the slave [of Allah] shall not move on the Day of Qiyamah until he is asked about his life and how did he spend it, about his knowledge and what he did with it, about his wealth, how he earned it and where he spent it, about his body and how did he use it”
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2417. Declared authentic by Imam Tirmidhi)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar