Question:
Is the following Hadith authentic?
The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiyallahu ‘anhu): “What is the first thing Allah blessed you with? He said, ‘that He made me a man.’”
Answer:
This narration is part of a Hadith collection (nuskhah) that has been declared a fabrication. The narration is therefore not suitable to quote.
(Refer: Dhaylul La-Alil Masnu’ah, vol. 2 pg. 788, number: 1006 and Lisanul Mizan, vol. 1 pg. 404, number: 391)
The narration in question is as follows:
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) once asked ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiyallahu ‘anhu), “What is the first bounty Allah bestowed upon you?” He replied, ‘That he made me a male.’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked, ‘Then what?’ ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, ‘That he made me a Muslim.’”
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar