I wanted to enquire about the authenticity and reference of famous narration that Sayyiduna Abu Ayub Ansari (radiyallahu ‘anhu) took journey from Madinah Munawwarah to Egypt just for the sake of one Hadith.
Could you please quote the whole incident.
Answer
This incident is reported with a broken chain, but is still suitable to quote for the purpose of demonstrating the zeal of the Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) for knowledge.
Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (radiyallahu’anhu) -who resided in Madinah Munawwarah- once travelled to Sayyiduna ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir (radiyallahu’anhu) in Egypt to enquire from him a particular Hadith that he heard from Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam).
When Abu Ayyub (radiyallahu’anhu) arrived, he went to the home of Sayyiduna Maslamah ibn Mukhallad Al-Ansari (radiyallahu’anhu) who was the governor of Egypt at that time.
When Maslamah was informed, he rushed out and embraced Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub and asked: ‘What has brought you O Abu Ayyub?’
He replied: ‘There is a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) which no other person alive besides myself and ‘Uqbah have heard. Send with me someone who will point out his home to me.’
So he sent a guide with him to the home of Sayyiduna ‘Uqbah. When he was informed he too rushed out and embraced Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub. He then asked the reason for his coming.
Sayyuduna Abu Ayyub (radiyallahu’anhu) replied:
‘There is a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) on the topic of covering faults which no other living person has heard besides you and I.
Sayyiduna ‘Uqbah said: ‘Yes, I heard Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) saying: Whoever covers a sin/shameful deed of a Muslim in this world, Allah Ta’ala will cover him [his sins] on the day of Qiyamah.’
Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub replied: ‘You are correct.’ He then departed back to Madinah.
(Musnadul Humaydi, Hadith: 384, Musnad Ahmad, vol.4 pg.153 & Ar-Rihlah fi Talabil Hadith, Hadith: 34. Also see Fathul Bari, Hadith: 78)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar