Can you please mention the source of this statement of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu):
ا ينقص الدين وأنا حي
‘Can Din be deficient while I’m living’?
Answer
This statement is often quoted in the incident after the demise of Rasulullah (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), when some refused refused to pay zakah.
Majority of the hadith books that have recorded this incident don’t have the statement in question.
(See: Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1399, Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 20, Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 1551, Sunan Tirmidhi. Hadith: 2607, Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 217, Musnad Ahmad vol. 1 pg. 11)
Imam Muhibbud Din At Tabari (rahimahullah) has recorded this incident with the statement in question. He then attributes the hadith with these words to Nasa’i. However I am unable to find these words in Nasai.
(Ar Riyadun Nadirah, pg. 127. See Sunan Nasai, Hadith numbers: 2223, 3431, 3432, 3435, 4299, 4300, 4302 and 7122)
Ibnul Athir (rahimahullah) has also recorded this narration with these words. He however, does not attribute this hadith to any of the primary hadith sources .
(Jami’ul Usul, Hadith: 6426)
Note: Imam Muhibbud Din At Tabari And Ibnul Athir (rahimahumallah) have both recorded this narration with the words ‘ا ينقص وأنا حي ‘ (Can it be deficient while I am living) , without the word Din.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar