Is this an authentic Hadith?
Sayyiduna Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu) related that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Indeed the place of refuge/stronghold of the Muslims on the day of massacre [during the fitnah of Dajjal etc.] is in Ghouta, near a city called Damascus, this from the best of the cities of Sham.”
Answer
Imam Abu Dawud (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith. Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith authentic and Hafiz Dhahabi concurs.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 4298, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4 pg. 486. Refer: Sharh Ibn Raslan, Hadith: 4298, for the explanatory translations inserted above)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar