What is the authenticity of the following Hadith?
روي أنه عليه الصلاة والسلام لما قال حبب إلي من دنياكم النساء والطيب وجعلت قرة عيني في الصلاة قال أبو بكر وأنا يا رسول الله حبب إلي من الدنياالنظر إلى وجهك وجمع المال للإنفاق عليك والتوسل بقرابتك اليك والنهي عن المنكر والقيام بأمر الله وقال عثمان وأنا يا رسول الله حبب إلي من الدنيا ثلاث إشباع الجائع وإرواء الظمآن وكسوة العاري وقال علي رضي الله عنه وأنا يا رسول الله حبب إلي من الدنيا الصوم في الصيف وإقراء الضيف والضرب بين يديك بالسيف
Answer
The gist of the Hadith in question is as follows:
When Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentioned three things that are beloved to him, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, Sayyiduna ‘Umar, Sayyiduna ‘Uthman and Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) all mentioned three things beloved to them.
Other narrations further mention that Jibril (‘alayhis salam), Mikail (‘alayhis salam) and Allah Ta’ala also mentioned three things beloved to them.
Authenticity
This narration has been recorded in certain non primary Hadith books without a chain of narrators. The authenticity therefore cannot be verified.
(Refer: Kashful Khafa, vol. 1 pg. 392-394)
My Bukhari teacher, Shaykhul Hadith Mufti Rida Ul Haq (may Allah protect him) also states that he has not come across a chain of narrators for this narration.
(Fatawa Darul ‘Ulum Zakariyya, vol. 1 pg. 547)
Note
The first part of this narration has been authentically narrated in other Hadith sources. The words of this version are as follows:
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Women [His beloved wives] and good scent [‘itr] has been made beloved to me. The coolness of my eyes lie in Salah”
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2 pg. 160. Declared authentic by Imam Hakim and Hafiz Dhahabi concurs. Also see Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 380 and Kashful Khafa, vol. 1 pg. 391)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar