Is there a Hadith that says that the stool of Ambiya is swallowed by the earth?
Answer
This has been recorded through a few chains with varied degrees of weakness. Some of these chains have been declared as baseless. Imam ibn Dihyah has declared one chain authentic (thabit). Although others have rejected this chain too.
A different method of deduction
Hafiz ‘Abdul Ghani Al Maqdisi (rahimahullah) was asked regarding this. After saying that this has been reported through a ‘gharib’ chain, he says, ‘No Sahabi had seen or mentioned the stool of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) contrary to mention of his urine.’
In other words, the Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) did see and report about the urine of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). However no Sahabi (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported seeing his stool.
This then indicates to the possibility that the earth would swallow his stool, not his urine (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam).
(Refer: Kitabul Majruhin of Imam Ibn Hibban, vol. 1 pg. 298, Dalailun Nubuwwah of Imam Abu Nu’aym, Hadith: 364, Dalailun Nubuwwah of Imam Bayhaqi, vol. 6 pg. 70, Al ‘Ilalul Mutanahiyah, vol. 1 pg. 187/188, Ghayatus Sul Fi Khasaisir Rasul, pg. 299-301, Al Khasaisul Kubra of ‘Allamah Suyuti, vol. 1 pg. 128/129, Sharhuz Zurqani ‘Alal Mawahib, vol. 5 pg. 540-544)
Conclusion
The clear Hadith on this issue is debated.
However this [that the stool of Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam would disappear into the earth] could be understood from the observation of Imam ‘Abdul Ghani Al-Maqdisi (rahimahullah).
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar