Question
Can this narration be quoted?
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Verily among the best servants of Allah are those who observe the sun, the moon, the stars and the shades for the remembrance of Allah.”
Answer
Imams Hakim, Bayhaqi (rahimahumallah) and other Muhaddithun have recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith authentic and ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) concurs.
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 51, As Sunanul Kubra, vol. 1 pg. 379)
The Muhaddithun have recorded and cited this Hadith under the chapters regarding observing the times of Salah. The correct explanatory translation of the Hadith is as follows:
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “[Among] the best of Allah’s servants, are those who observe the sun, moon, stars and shades [to assist them with determining the time] to remember Allah [for Adhan, Salah etc.]”
(Refer: Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 2268)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar