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