Is this narration authentic and what is meant?
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Al Azd is Allah’s lion [i.e. Allah’s army] upon the earth. The people wish to lower them but Allah refuses except to raise them. A time will come upon the people where a man will say: “I wish my father was Azdi, I wish my mother was Azdi.”
Answer
Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu). He has declared the Hadith weak.
A similar narration of praise for Azd has been reported as the statement of Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) says that this is more correct.
The narration should therefore be quoted as the statement of Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3937)
Azd-Shanu-ah was a tribe from Yemen. The Ansar were from this tribe. Since they assisted Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and due to other excellent characteristics, the earned this rich praise.
(Refer: Tuhfatul Ahwadhi, Hadith: 3946)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar