What is the authenticity of this Hadith?
Sayyiduna ‘Abdur Rahman ibn ‘Awf (radiyallahu ‘anhu) relates: “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) once took hold of my hand and we proceeded to visit his ailing son, Ibrahim. They found the infant in the throes of death, so Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) placed him on his lap until his soul left him. Then he put the child down and wept, whereupon I (‘Abdur Rahman ibn ‘Awf radiyallahu ‘anhu) asked in astonishment, ‘You are weeping, O Messenger of Allah, while you prohibit crying!?’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied, ‘I did not prohibit weeping but rather, I forbade two voices which are imbecilic and sinful; One, a voice to the accompaniment of musical amusement and Shaytan’s instruments, the other, a voice due to some calamity, accompanied by striking of the face and tearing of garments. But this [crying] stems from compassion, and whosoever does not show compassion will not receive it….”
Answer
This version of the narration is recorded in Mustadrak Hakim.
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4 pg. 40. Also see: Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 12251)
Imams Bukhari and Muslim (rahimahumallah) have recorded a slightly different version of this narration. See here.
Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded the following version:
Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdillah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports: “Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) once took hold of the hand of ‘Abdur Rahman ibn ‘Awf (radiyallahu ‘anhu) and went to his son, Ibrahim. He found him in the throes of death. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) placed him on his lap and cried. ‘Abdur Rahman (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said, ‘Are you weeping? Did you not prohibit us from weeping?’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘No, but I prohibited two foolish sinful voices; A voice during a calamity while clawing at one’s face and tearing one’s garments, and Shaytan’s scream [musical instruments/wailing upon the deceased].’
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1005)
Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has declared this Hadith sound (hasan). The narration in question is suitable to quote.
Also see here.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar