Is the following narration authentic?
Whoever honours an innovator has certainly assisted in destroying Islam.
Answer
The hadith in question has been recorded by:
1) Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) in his Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 6772
2) Abu Nu’aym (rahimahullah) in Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 5 pg. 248
This Hadith has been classified as weak by ‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) , ‘Allamah Azizi (rahimahullah) and Al-Shawkani.
(See Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 1648, Ithafus Sadatil Muttaqin, vol. 6 pg. 196, As Sirajul Munir, vol. 3 pg. 393 and Al Fawaidul Majmu’ah, pg. 211)
In addition to the above, Ibn ‘Asakir (rahimahullah) has also recorded this narration in Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 16 pg. 4
‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) mentions that the narration of Ibn Asakir is a strong support for the narration in Tabarani and Hilyatul Awliya. Ibn ‘Arraq (rahimahullah) says that Ibn Asakir’s chain of narrators is void of any discredited narrators.
This narration is therefore suitable to quote.
(Al La-Alil Masnu’ah vol. 1 pg. 232, Tanzihush Shari’a, vol. 1 pg. 315. Also see Al Mudawi, vol. 6 pg. 419)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar