Is this Hadith authentic?
Sayyiduna Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydillah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that two men came to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) who had accepted Islam at the same time. One of them used to strive more than the other, and so (one day) he fought in a battle and was martyred therein. The other remained for another year, and then he passed away.
Sayyiduna Talhah said, ‘I saw in my dream that I was at the door of Jannah when lo and behold, I was with both of them (the two men). Someone came out of Jannah and allowed the man who passed away later to enter first. Then he came out again and allowed the martyred one to enter. Then he returned and said to me, ‘Go back, for your time has not come yet.’
Talhah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) woke up and began to inform others about this and they were all surprised. This reached Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and when they informed him of it, he said:
‘What are you surprised about?’ They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Out of them both, this one strove harder and was martyred but this other one was entered into Jannah before him.’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Did he not remain after him for one year?’ They said, ‘Yes [he did].’ He said, ‘Did he not reach Ramadan, fast and pray with such and such number of prostrations in the year?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘So the difference between them is greater than what is between the heavens and the earth.’
Answer
Imam Ibn Majah (rahimahullah) and other Muhaddithun have recorded this narration.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3925. Refer: Zawaid Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1305)
Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith in question authentic. Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (rahimahullah) has recorded a different version and has declared it authentic.
(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 2982, Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith: 310)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar