Kindly verify the authenticity of the following Hadith:
يظهر في آخر الزمان قوم يسمون الرافضه يرفضون الاسلام
Translation: Towards the end of time a nation called the ‘Rafidah’ (a type of Shi’ah) will appear, they will reject and abandon Islam.
Answer:
The narration in question is recorded in Musnad Ahmad on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) with a weak chain.
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1 pg. 103. Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10 pg. 22)
However the above narration is supported and strengthened by the following weak narration:
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
Towards the end of time a nation called the ‘Rafidah’ (a type of Shi’ah) will appear, they will reject and abandon Islam. So fight them for verily they are polytheists.
(Musnadul Harith; Bughyatul Bahith, Hadith: 1043, under the chapter ‘Those who swear the Sahabah’, Musnad Abu Ya’la, Hadith: 2586, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10 pg. 22 and Mukhtasar Ithafus Sadah Al Maharah, Hadith: 4104)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar