Is the following Hadith authentic?
“When the pious are mentioned, [Allah’s] mercy descends”
Answer
This statement is not a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
The Muhaddithun have stated that this is the statement of Imam Sufyan Thawri (rahimahullah) or Imam Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah (rahimahullah). This statement has also been attributed to other pious predecessors and should therefore not be quoted as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
(Refer: Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 2109, Al Masnu’, Hadith: 201. Also see Tadribur Rawi, with footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah, vol. 4 pg. 539)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar