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An incident on racism

Is this narration authentic?

Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdir Rahman reports that Qays bin Matatiyyah once came to a gathering that included Salman Al Farisi, Suhayb Ar Rumi and Bilal (radiyallahu ‘anhum) and remarked, “Here [in the gathering are the Aws and Khazraj tribes who have stood up to assist that man [i.e Rasulullah sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam] [This I can understand because they are ‘Arab and people of standing]. However, what is the matter with these other people [these poor non ‘Arabs who have no social standing? Of what use are they]?”

Sayyiduna Mu’adh (radiyallahu ‘anhu) stood up and and grabbing Ibn Matatiyyah by the collar and brought him to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). When Sayyiduna Mu’adh reported the statement, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) stood up [in anger] pulling his shawl along, he entered the Masjid. The announcement ‘Gather for Salah’ was made [to gather the people] and after duly praising Allah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “O people! Verily your Rabb is but One Rabb, your father (Adam ‘alayhis salam) is but one father and your Din is but one Din. Take note that Arabic is neither your father nor your mother. It is merely a language and whoever speaks Arabic is therefore Arab.”

Still holding on to the collar of Ibn Matatiyyah, Mu’adh (radiyallahu ‘anhu) asked, ‘O Rasulullah! What is your instruction concerning this hypocrite?’ ‘Leave him to the Fire of Jahannam!’ replied Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).’”

Answer

Imam Ibn ‘Asakir (rahimahullah) has recorded this incident with an extremely weak chain.

(Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 21 pg. 407 and vol. 24 pg. 224/225. Refer: Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 2 pg. 181/182)

The chain of narrators goes through Imam Malik (rahimahullah). After declaring the narration weak, ‘Allamah ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) says ‘[It seems] As though this was falsely attributed to Imam Malik.’ However, he further states that the meaning of this narration is correct.

(Iqtidaus Siratil Mustaqim, vol. 1 pg. 460/461)

Although this incident should not be quoted in this context, there are other narrations which discuss this topic. See here.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

This answer was collected from HadithAnswers.com. The answers were either answered or checked by Moulana Haroon Abasoomar (rahimahullah) who was a Shaykhul Hadith in South Africa, or by his son, Moulana Muhammad Abasoomer (hafizahullah), who is a Hadith specialist. 

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