Is this Hadith authentic?
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“The Masjids have pegs [i.e. people who habitually frequent them, like how pegs cling on to what they are attached to]. The angels are their companions. If they are absent the angels search for them, and if they become sick the angels visit them, and if they are in need the angels assist them.”
Answer
Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith with a weak chain.
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 2 pg. 418, Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 2 pg. 22)
However, the Hadith in question is well corroborated and suitable to quote.
Imam ‘Abdur Razzaq (rahimahullah) has recorded a similar narration on the authority of ‘Ata Al Khurasani (rahimahullah) mursalan.
Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar narration as the statement of Sayyiduna Salman Al Farisi (radiyallahu ‘anhu). He has declared this version authentic and ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) concurs.
(Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq; Jami’u Ma’mar ibn Rashid, Hadith: 20585, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2 pg. 398. Also see: Targhib, vol. 1 pg. 220)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar