Is this narration authentic?
Sayyiduna Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates, I heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying: “If three persons in a village or a desert do not offer congregational Salah, then Shaytan fully overpowers them. So make it obligatory on yourself to offer Salah in congregation. For undoubtedly the wolf eats only the stray goat.”
Answer
Imams Abu Dawud and Ahmad (rahimahumallah) have recorded this Hadith.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 548, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5 pg. 196)
Imams Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibban (rahimahumallah) have declared the Hadith authentic.
(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith: 1486, Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 2101)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar