Musaylamah the liar approaches Madinah

Imam Bukhari and Muslim (rahimahumallah) have both recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). It is therefore authentic.

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 4373 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2273)

Translation

Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) has said:

“Musaylamah, the liar, approached [Madinah] during the era [i.e. the lifetime] of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and began to say: “If Muhammad [sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam] grants me successorship (i.e. makes me the Khalifah) after him, I will follow him.”

“He [i.e. Musaylamah] arrived [In Madinah] with a group [consisting] of many of his people [i.e. from his tribe]. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) then headed towards him, with Thabit ibn Qays ibn Shammas [radiyallahu ‘anhu]; and in the hand of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) was a piece of a date palm branch. [Rasulullah – sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam – headed towards Musaylamah] Until he reached Musaylamah [whilst he was] amongst his companions. He [i.e. Rasulullah – sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam] then said: ‘[Even] If you had asked me for [something as trivial as] this piece [of date palm] I wouldn’t have given it to you! You will never be able to prevent the order of Allah regarding you [i.e. You will never be able to attain what you aspire for – i.e. prophethood/successorship – rather, you will be destroyed before that]! And if you go against the truth [by disobeying me], then Allah Ta’ala will most definitely destroy you! I am most certain that you were the one shown to me in my dream! Here is Thabit, he will answer you on my behalf!’

[After saying this,] he [i.e. Rasulullah – sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam] then departed from him [i.e. Musaylamah].

(Refer: Al-Minhaj, Hadith: 5894, and Fathul Bari, Hadith: 4373; Also see: Sahih Bukhari, Hadiths: 4374-4375, and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2273)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar