Question
Kindly provide the reference and authenticity of the following narration:
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said: ‘I brought Islam to every single one of you and every one of you hesitated for a moment except Abu Bakr’.
Answer
This Hadith has been recorded by Imam Ibn ‘Asakir and others (rahimahumullah) on the authority of Muhammad ibn ‘Abdir Rahman At-Tamimi (rahimahullah).
(Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 30 pg. 44; Also see: Sirah Ibn Hisham with Ar-Rawdul Unf, vol. 1 pg. 431, Dalailun Nubuwwah, vol. 2 pg. 164, Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 30 pg. 44, Al-Kashif, vol. 4 pg. 551, Number: 6464, Tahdhibut Tahdhib, vol. 11 pgs. 434-436, and Tarikhul Khulafa, pg. 109-110)
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded a similar narration on the authority of Abud Darda (radiyallahu ‘anhu) wherein Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) has mentioned:
‘I most certainly said: ‘O people! Surely I am the messenger of Allah [that has been sent] to all of you!’
[In response, however,] You all then said: “you have lied”, whilst Abu Bakr [radiyallahu ‘anhu] said: “you have spoken the truth”.’
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3661 and 4640)
The narration in question is, therefore, suitable to quote.
Translation
It has been reported on the authority of Muhammad ibn ‘Abdir Rahman At-Tamimi (rahimahullah) that Rasulullah (sallalalhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
‘I have not invited anyone towards Islam except that he experienced some type of hesitation, wavering or uncertainty, except for Abu Bakr [radiyallahu ‘anhu]; he neither hesitated when I mentioned it to him [i.e. invited him to Islam], nor did he waver in it [i.e. his decision to accept Islam].
(Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 30 pg. 44; Also see: Sirah Ibn Hisham with Ar-Rawdul Unf, vol. 1 pg. 431)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar