Is the following narration authentic?
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
‘Love the Arabs for three reasons: Because I am an Arab, The Quran is in Arabic and the language of Jannah is Arabic’
Answer
The Hadith in question has been recorded in the following Hadith collections with a very weak chain:
1) Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4 pg. 87
2) Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 11441
3) Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 1364
(See, Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 3 pg. 113 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10 pg. 52. Also see Faydul Qadir, vol. 1 pg. 232)
Although this narration is very weak, there are numerous narrations which encourage loving the Arabs. These narrations when combined gain strength and prove that we are commanded to love the Arabs. Infact ‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) has authored a booklet on the topic of loving the Arabs.
(Refer: Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 31 and Kashful Khafa, vol. 1 pg. 48)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar