Someone came to me and informed me of a sirah bayan he heard. In the bayan, the khatib mentioned a Hadith in which Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was resting on the thigh of Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu), and the time of Asr arrived. Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) didn’t get up to pray Asr for fear of waking Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). He used this to claim that hub un-Nabi (love for nabi sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is greater than Salah. He mentioned that this Hadith is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari.
I have two questions on this:
1. I don’t recall this Hadith being in Bukhari, unless, of course, I forgot, which could be the case. The only such Hadith I recall on this subject is the Hadith of tayammum, in which the thigh was A’isha (radiyallahu ‘anhu)’s, and they didn’t miss Fajr.
2. Is it proper for a Alim to quote such a Hadith in a public gather while delivering such a message? JazakaAllahu khayra in advance.
Answer
1. The Hadith in question is recorded by Imam Tahawi (rahimahullah) in his Mushkilul Athar, Hadith: 1067-1068 and Imams Hakim, Baihaqi and Tabarani (rahimahumullah) (see Fathul Bari, Hadith: 3124)
Authenticity
Imam Tahawi (rahimahullah) has indicated to the reliability of the narration. Qadi ‘iyadh (rahimahullah) also authenticated it in Shifa, vol.1 pg.215.
‘Allamah Haithami (rahimahullah) has stated that one of its chains has authentic narrators. ‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) declared it as hasan-soundly authentic. (Majma’uz zawaid, vol.8 pg.297. Also see Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 519 & Kashful Khafa, Hadith: 670)
The Hadith in Bukhari
The Hadith in Sahih Bukhari discusses how the sunset was delayed for the Nabi Yusha’ (‘alaihis Salam) and not for Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu’anhu). See Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3124
2. It is improper for anyone to misinterpret the Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alaihi wasallam)
This Hadith mentions clearly that after Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) made du’a, the sun was ordered to return after sunset so that Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu’anhu) could offer his ‘Asr Salah on time. This actually proves the importance of salah, that it wasn’t waived for anyone! even he who was engaged in the service of our Nabi (sallallahu’alaihi wasallam)
May Allah Ta’ala guide us all, and may He save us from deviation. Amin.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar