Is this Hadith authentic?
Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Al Khudri (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “People complained about Sayyiduna ‘Ali [his harshness]. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) stood up among us to deliver a lecture and I heard him declaring, ‘O people! Do not complain of ‘Ali, By Allah he is the most scrupulous when it comes to the Being of Allah or the path of Allah.’”
Answer
Imam Ahmad and Imam Hakim (rahimahumallah) have recorded this narration.
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 3 pg. 86, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 68)
Imam Hakim has declared the Hadith authentic and ‘Allamah Dhahabi concurs.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar