What is the authenticity of the Hadith which states that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) were created from the same soil?
Answer
In essence, the meaning of the above is correct, however these particular words are unreliable.
Hafiz Khatib Al Baghdadi, Hafiz Ibn ‘Asakir and others have recorded this as part of a longer narration. ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith a fabrication (batil). Hafiz Ibn ‘Asakir (rahimahullah) has cited another chain for this too, which Allamah Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullah) has declared as a fabrication as well.
(Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 3 pg. 543 and vol. 15 pg. 32/33, Tarikh Ibn ‘Asakir, vol. 44 pg. 120. Refer: Kitabul Mawdu’at of Ibnul Jawzi, vol. 1 pg. 328, Lisanul Mizan, vol. 8 pg. 202 )
Other substantiation
We understand from other Hadiths, that a person is buried in the soil he was created from. Abu ‘Asim An Nabil (rahimahullah) one of the narrators of the Hadith which mentions ‘A person is buried in the soil he was created from’ says, ‘You will not find a virtue for Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) greater than this for their soil and Nabi’s (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) soil is the same.’ [which implies that since they are buried together, they were created from the same soil]
‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) says, [Due to this statement of Abu ‘Asim An Nabil] ‘The Hadith which says Sayyiduna ‘Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) were created from the same soil as Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) seems to have been [incorrectly] inserted and made part of the Hadith ‘A person is buried in the soil he was created from.’
(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 2 pg. 280, Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 1 pg. 373/374)
Conclusion
The words in question should not be quoted as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). However, there are authentic Hadiths which imply/mention that a person will be buried in the same soil he was created from.
Since Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) are buried together, it could be said that they were created from the same soil.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar