What is the grade of the following Hadith?
“Show mercy to three types of people, an honourable man who has become disgraced, a wealthy man who has become destitute and an ‘alim (knowledgeable man) among ignorant ones”
Answer
This narration has been reported as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), through several chains with slight variations in the wording.
However most of these chains are extremely weak. The Muhaddithun have stated that this is actually the statements of the great saint, Fudayl ibn ‘Iyad (rahimahullah).
Therefore, this narration may be quoted as the words of Fudayl ibn ‘Iyad (rahimahullah) and not as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
(Refer: Al Manarul Munif, Hadith: 179, Al La-Alil Manthurah of ‘Allamah Zarkashi, Hadith: 45, Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 89 and Mukhtasarul Maqasid, Hadith: 85)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar