What is the authenticity of the following Hadith?
“Soon a time will come where people will pose difficult/complex questions to the Fuqaha [Jurists]. These are the worst of my Ummah”
Answer
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna Thawban (radiyallahu ‘anhu) with a very weak chain. Shaykh Ahmad Siddiq Al Ghumari (rahimahullah), a Moroccan Scholar of the recent past has declared the Hadith a fabrication.
(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 1431. Refer: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 8 pg. 492, number: 8554, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 1 pg. 155 and Al Mudawi, Hadith: 2012)
Other authentic narrations:
Despite the Hadith in question being unreliable, the prohibition of asking such difficult questions is authentically reported from Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wa sallam):
1) Sayyiduna Al Mughirah ibn Shu’bah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Allah Ta’ala has forbidden…excessive questions…”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1477-5975)
One explanation of ‘Excessive questions’ is difficult questions.
(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 5975)
2) Sayyiduna Mu’awiyah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) forbade [discussing/asking] difficult questions.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 3648. Also see Fathul Bari, Hadith: 5975)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar