Is this Hadith authentic?
“The flourishing of Jerusalem will mark the desertion of Yathrib (Madinah). The desertion of Yathrib will mark the start of Al-Malhamah [the great war that will start between ar-Rum and the Muslim forces before Muslims conquer Constantinople for the second time]. The start of Al-Malhamah will mark the conquering of Constantinople. The conquering of Constantinople will mark the appearance of Dajjal.”
Answer
This Hadith has been recorded in numerous Hadith collections as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and as the statement of Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (radiyallahu ‘anhu) as well.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 4294, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 38364)
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith sound (hasan). The Hadith will also be declared sound by Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) based on his principle in his book ‘Hidayatur Ruwat’.
(An Nihayah Fil Fitan Wal Malahim, vol. 1 pg. 75 and Hidayatur Ruwat, Hadith: 5350)
Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as the statement of Sayyiduna Mu’adh ibn Jabal (radiyallahu ‘anhu) and has declared the Hadith authentic. ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) concurs. However this will be understood to be a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as the nature of this Hadith is not such that Sayyiduna Mu’adh (radiyallahu ‘anhu) could have made up applying his own logic.
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4 pg. 420/421. Also see footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah on Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 38364 and Mizanul I’tidal. vol. 2 pg. 488/489)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar