Are the following two narrations authentic:
1) Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
‘Save yourself from zina. Zina has six things of ruin in it, three in this world and three in the hereafter. From the ruins of this world are:
The radiance of one’s face fades, sustenance becomes difficult and does not suffice for ones needs and the body wears down quicker than normal and becomes weak.
From the ruins of the hereafter are: Allah Ta’ala becomes angry, judgement will be harsh and one will burn in Jahannam till Allah Ta’ala wills’.
2) Nabi (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is reported to have said:
‘Iman has a dress that Allah dresses whosoever he wants with. Whenever a person commits zina, this dress is taken off him and not put back on until the person repents from his sin.’
Answer
Adultery is a major sin and has been prohibited in many verses of the Holy Quran and authentic traditions of Nabi (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
1) The first Hadith you have quoted is classified as very weak. Maslamah ibn ‘Ulayy Al Khushani is a narrator of this Hadith who has been declared as extremely weak by many Muhaddithun. This narration is therefore not suitable to quote.
(See Talkhisul Mawdu’at, Hadith: 997, Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 2924, Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 543 and Mizanul ‘Itidal 8035. Also see Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 5091)
2) The second Hadith is recorded by Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu). The chain for this Hadith is also classified as very weak.
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 4981, Lisanul Mizan : 5819)
However, this narration of Bayhaqi does have the following authentic supports which should be quoted instead:
a) Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Allah Ta’ala removes the Iman of that person who drinks wine or engages in adultery like how one of you removes his shirt from his head’.
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol.1 pg. 22)
Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has classified this Hadith as authentic and ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) concurs with him.
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 22. Also see Al Kabair of ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah), Hadith: 83)
b) Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘When a person fornicates, his Iman leaves him (and hovers above his head) like a shadow, his Iman returns to him when he stops this act’.
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2625 and Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg.22)
Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has also classified this Hadith as authentic and ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) concurs with him. Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al ‘Asqalani (rahimahullah) has also classified this Hadith as authentic. (Fathul Bari, vol. 12 pg. 62)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar