Can this Hadith be quoted?
“O Messenger of Allah! Which of the people is tried most severely?” He said: “The Prophets, then those nearest to them, then those nearest to them. A man is tried according to his religion; if he is firm in his religion, then his trials are more severe, and if he is frail in his religion, then he is tried according to the strength of his religion”
Answer
The Hadith in question is suitable to quote and has been recorded by Imam Tirmidhi and Imam Ibn Majah (rahimahumallah). Imam Tirmidhi has declared the Hadith authentic.
The full narration is as follows:
Sayyiduna Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) once asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), “Which people are tested most severely? Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied, ‘The Ambiya, then the next best, then the next best’ [i.e. The honourable noble ones who are closest to Allah Ta’ala]. A person is tested in accordance to [the strength/weakness] of his Din [Iman]. If he is firm on his Din, his trials will be more severe. If he is weak in his Din, then he is tried according to his strength of his Din. Man will continue being tested until he is left walking upon the earth free of sins”
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2398, Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 4023 and Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 2901 )
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar