In the following line of Fathul Bari
إذ ذاك أسلم بعد فلا يحتج به
Is ذاك referring to Sayyiduna ‘Urwah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) and does it mean that the person who saw the dream was not present after Sayyiduna ‘Urwah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) accepted Islam?
وفي الحديث دلالة على أن الكافر قد ينفعه العمل الصالح في الآخرة لكنه مخالف لظاهر القرآن قال الله تعالى وقدمنا إلى ما عملوا من عمل فجعلناه هباء منثورا وأجيب أولا بأن الخبر مرسل أرسله عروة ولم يذكر من حدثه به وعلى تقدير أن يكون موصولا فالذي في الخبر رؤيا منام فلا حجة فيه ولعل الذي رآها لم يكن إذ ذاك أسلم بعد فلا يحتج به
Answer
This refers to the one who saw the dream, and that he probably was not a Muslim at the time of seeing the dream. Sayyiduna ‘Urwah was a born Muslim.
However, it is important to read the entire passage in Fathul Bari to fully understand the scholars’ view on this issue. I personally prefer Hafiz Ibn Hajar’s (rahimahullah) addition in the last line.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar