Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) encouraged children to play with sand. He said “Sand is a pasture for kids”
What is the status of the above Hadith?
Answer
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Sahl ibn Sa’d (radiyallahu ‘anhu). The full Hadith is as follows:
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) once passed by some children who were playing with sand. Some Sahabah prohibited them from doing so. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Leave them, for sand is a pasture for kids.”
(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 5775)
However, the chain consists of an extremely weak narrator. The Muhaddithun have accused him of fabricating this Hadith. The Hadith is therefore not suitable to quote.
(Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 8 pg. 159. Also see: Lisanul Mizan, vol. 7 pg. 496, Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 326 and Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 3401)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar