Is the following narration reliable:
قال عبد الله لأصحابه حين قدموا عليه: هل تجالسون؟ قالوا: لا نترك ذاك. قال: فهل تزاورون؟ قالوا: نعم يا أبا عبد الرحمن، إن الرجل منا ليفقد أخاه فيمشي على رجليه إلى آخر الكوفة حتى يلقاه. قال: إنكم لن تزالوا بخير ما فعلتم ذلك
Answer
Imams Darimi and Tabarani (rahimahumallah) have recorded this statement of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) with a weak chain, that is suitable for the purpose of encouraging the deed under discussion.
(Sunan Darimi, Hadith: 644, Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 8979. Refer Targhib, vol. 3 pg. 365 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 8 pg. 175)
Translation
When Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud’s (radiyallahu ‘anhu) students came to him, he asked them, ‘Do you sit in gatherings [of knowledge etc.]’. They said, ‘We don’t leave that out’. He asked, ‘Do you visit each other’? They replied, ‘Yes O Abu Abdir Rahman, If one of us do not see our brother, he will walk to the end of Kufa to meet him. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said, ‘As long as you continue doing this, you will remain on good.’
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,
In an era like our’s, we should value those individuals who do visit us only for the purpose of improving our deen. Also see here for another Hadith on this topic.
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar