Question:
What is the authenticity of Hadith 200 in Sunan ibn Majah Hadith, regarding Allah Ta’ala smiling at three types of people?
Answer:
Imam Ibn Majah (rahimahullah) has recorded the narration in question on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Al Khudri (radiyallahu ‘anhu):
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah Ta’ala smiles [becomes pleased] with three categories of people; At a row in Salah [i.e. when people form a row for congregational Salah], at the person who offers [tahajjud] Salah in the middle of the night and with the person who fights at the back of the contingent [after they have achieved victory].”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 200)
‘Allamah Busiri (rahimahullah) has declared the chain weak (هذا اسناد فيه مقال)
(Misbahuz Zujajah, Hadith: 71)
Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration with slight difference in the wording. Imam Bazzar (rahimahullah) has also recorded this narration with his own (weak) chain.
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 3 pg. 80, Musnad Bazzar; Kashful Astar, Hadith: 715. Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 2 pg. 256)
The Hadith is suitable to quote.
(Refer: Footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah -hafizahullah- on Musannaf, Hadith: 3558 and 19663)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar