Are the following which are quoted to be Hadith really Hadith?
1. One who visits me after my death is as if he visited me during my life.
2. One who visits my grave my intercession for him is certainly due.
A Saudi scholar has mentioned in his ‘Umrah kitab under the section of ziyarat that, although quoted to be Hadiths they are not Hadiths.
Answer
Both these Hadiths are suitable to quote.
The following is an excerpt from the book: ‘Al-Maqasidul Hasanah’ of the famous Muhaddith (Hadith Master) ‘Allamah Shamsud Din Sakhawi (rahimahullah) – demise: 906 A.H.
‘The Hadith: ‘My intercession is incumbent for he who visits my grave.’ is recorded by Imams: Abush Shaykh, Ibn Abid Dunya and others on the authority of Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu’anhuma). It also appears in the Sahih of Imam Ibn Khuzaymah who has also pointed its weakness.
Abush Shaykh, Tabarani, Daraqutni, Bayhaqi and others have reported this with the words (He who visits my grave) is like one who visited me in my lifetime.
Bayhaqi has said it to be weak.
‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) said: ‘All the chains for this narration are slightly weak, but are strengthened by each other since none of the chains have any narrator that is suspected of lying.’
He (Dhahabi) also said: ‘The version that has the best chain is the one reported by Sayyiduna Hatib (radiyallahu’anhu):
‘Who visits me after my demise is like one that has visited me in my lifetime’
Recorded by Ibn ‘Asakir and others.
end of quote from Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 1125.
Also see Manahilus Safa of ‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah), Hadith; 1115.
‘Allamah Taqiud Din Subki (rahimahullah) has also approved these Hadiths in his book: Shifaus Siqam.
Hafiz Ibn Nasirud Din Ad-Dimashqi (rahimahullah) has also written extensively on this and has approved several Hadiths on this topic in his monumental book: ‘Jami’ul Athar’, vol.8 pgs. 129-141. He then writes at the end of the discussion:
‘Visiting the grave of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) is a sunnat of the Muslims, it is unanimously accepted as an act of reward and it is an act of virtue that is encouraged. The Hadiths on this topic have been accepted and practiced upon, even though a few of these Hadiths have weakness. Only a deviate will reject them totally.’
(Jami’ul Athar, vol.8 pg.141)
Cautionary note: One should avoid reading books of scholars like the one’s mentioned in your question. Reading their books causes a lot of confusion.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar