Is this narration authentic?
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Loving ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) eats up evil deeds just as fire eats wood”
Answer
This narration is recorded in Tarikh Baghdad and Tarikh Dimashq.
(Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 5 pg. 318, Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 42 pg. 244)
However, the Muhaddithun, including Hafiz Khatib Baghdadi (rahimahullah) have declared this narration a fabrication. It is therefore unauthentic and not suitable to quote.
(Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 5 pg. 318, Talkhisu Kitabil Mawdu’at, Hadith: 264, Lisanul Mizan, vol. 1 pg. 481/482, number: 545 and Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 1 pg. 355)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar