Question:
What is the authenticity of this Hadith?
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah commanded me to love four people and informed me that he loves them; ‘Ali, Miqdad, Abu Dharr and Salman (radiyallahu ‘anhum)”
Answer:
Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith and has declared it sound (hasanun gharib). The words are as follows:
Sayyiduna Buraydah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Certainly Allah has commanded me to love four [people] and has informed me that He loves them.’ It was said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Mention their names for us.’ He said: ‘Ali is among them,’ He repeated this thrice [and continued], and Abu Dharr, Miqdad [ibn ‘Amr] and Salman [Al Farisi]. He ordered me to love them, and He informed me that He loves them.’”
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3718)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar