What is the status of the Hadith which states that the earth does not consume the body of a Hafizul Quran?
Answer
The full narration is as follows:
Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ” When one who has memorized the Holy Quran passes away, Allah Ta’ala reveals to the earth not to consume his flesh. The earth responds: ‘O Allah! How can I consume his flesh when your speech is in his heart?”
(Mu’jamush Shuyukh of Hafiz Ibn ‘Asakir, pg: 1214)
However, the above Hadith is transmitted through an extremely weak narrator. ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) states that he has reported very weak narrations [manakir] as well as fabricated narrations. In another place, ‘Allamah Dhahabi states that he has reported extremely weak narrations as well as strange narrations.
(Refer: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 1 pg. 701 -number: 914, Al Mughni Fid Du’afa, vol. 1 pg. 99 -number: 490.Also see Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 1 pg. 35)
There are various other virtues of memorizing the Quran, which should be quoted instead. See here for some virtues.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar