Could you please let me know if the following is a Hadith and its reference.
“Be an ‘Alim (scholar), or one who strives to become one, or at least one who listens (to the ‘Ulama) or one who loves (them). Do not become the fifth (one who hates them) for you will be destroyed.”
Answer
Although this has been reported as a Hadith, (in Tabarani and Musnad Bazzar; see Majma’uz Zawaid, vol.1 pg.121 and Shu’abul Iman of Bayhaqi, Hadith: 1581) it has also been reported as the statements of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud and Sayyiduna Abud Darda (radiyallahu ’anhuma) and not as a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) in the following references:
Musannaf ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 26644, Sunan Darimi, Hadiths: 248, 337, 339, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol.1 pg. 121 and Jami’u Bayanil ‘ilm, Hadith: 105 and 108.
It seems like this is the preferred view of Imam Bayhaqi- despite him recording it as a Hadith as well-
The famed Scholar, Al-Muhaddith Shaykh Muhammad Yusuf Al-Kandehlawi (rahimahullah) too has only quoted the statements of the above two Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) instead of the Hadith, in his book; Hayatus Sahabah, vol. 3, pg. 568.
It is therefore better to attribute this statement to these two illustrious Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar