There is a narration regarding backbiting giving a foul odor like a corpse. Is this Hadith authentic?
Answer
Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah says, “We were once with Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and we could smell a foul corpse/stench. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked, ‘Do you know what smells like this? This is the stench of those who backbite the Believers”
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 3 pg. 351 and Al Adabul Mufrad of Imam Bukhari, Hadith: 732)
‘Allamah Mundhiri and ‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahumallah) have declared the narrators of Musnad Ahmad reliable.
(Targhib, vol. 3 pg. 511 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 8 pg. 91)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar