Is this Hadith authentic?
‘A man will follow the religion of his friend.’
Answer
Imams Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ahmad and other Muhaddithun (rahimahumullah) have recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
The full Hadith is as follows:
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man will follow the religion of his friend [i.e. he will follow his habits and ways] so one of you should look at who he befriends.”
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2378, Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 4833, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 2 pg. 303 and pg. 334)
Imam Tirmidhi has declared the Hadith sound (hasan). Imam Nawawi (rahimahullah) has declared the chain in Tirmidhi authentic (sahih). Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has also declared the Hadith sound.
(Riyadus Salihin, Hadith: 374, Al Amalil Mutlaqah, pg. 151)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar