What is the status of this Hadith?
Hubbul Watan Minal Iman
Translation: Loving one’s homeland is part of Iman
Answer
There are several narrations which report Rasulullah’s (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) love and yearning for his birthplace; Makkatul Makarramah.
However, the particular Hadith you question has no basis according to the Muhaddithun. ‘Allamah Saghani and Mulla ‘Ali Al Qari (rahimahumallah) have deemed this narration a fabrication.
(Mawdu’atus Saghani, hadith: 81 and Al Masnu’, hadith: 106)
Mulla ‘Ali Al Qari (rahimahullah) writes that IF this hadith were to be proven authentic, the correct meaning of ‘homeland’ would be Jannah or Makkah. He also offers other explanations for this narration.
(Al Asrarul Marfu’ah, pg. 190-191)
Note: Mulla ‘Ali Al Qari (rahimahullah) has not said that the Hadith is authentic, all he is saying is: “If per chance it was found to be authentic then the explanation would be..” (which hasn’t happened. No Muhaddith has proven these words as the words of Rasulullah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
Therefore one cannot quote this as a Hadith.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar