Is the following narration reliable?
أكرم المجالس ما استقبل به القبلة
‘The most noble gathering is that gathering which is facing the qiblah’
Answer
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded these particular words on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). ‘Allamah Haythami and ‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahumallah) have declared this chain very weak.
(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 8357. Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol.8 pg. 59 and Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 153)
However, Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar narration on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu). The words of this narration are:
“Every thing has a leader, and the leader of all gatherings are those gatherings facing the qiblah”
(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 2375)
‘Allamah Mundhiri, Hafiz Haythami and ‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahumullah) have declared this chain sound (hasan).
(Targhib, vol. 4 pg. 59, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 8 pg. 59 and Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 153. Also see: Mukhtasar Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 137)
See here for further details.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar