Is this narration authentic?
“Eating with one’s servant/helper is part of humility and whoever eats with his servant, Jannah yearns for him”
Answer:
Imam Daylami (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyidatuna Ummu Salamah (radiyallahu ‘anha).
(Musnadul Firdaws, Hadith: 438, ‘ilmiyyah edition)
However, the Muhaddithun have declared the Hadith a fabrication. The Hadith is not suitable to quote.
(Refer: Dhaylul La-Alil Masnu’ah, vol. 2 pg. 764, Hadith: 956 and Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 2 pg. 267)
The following Hadith recorded in Sahih Bukhari should be quoted instead:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“When your servant brings your meal to any one of you, then if you do not make him sit with you, then you should at least give him a morsel or two or a bite or two as he is the one who [prepared it].”
See the references here.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar