Question
Kindly provide the authenticity and purport of the following Hadith:
من حدث حديثا فعطس فهو حق
Answer
This Hadith has been recorded by Imams Abu Ya’la, Tabarani and others (rahimahumullah) on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Musnad Abi Ya’la, Hadith: 6352, and Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 6509; Also see: Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 3360 and Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 8 pg. 59)
The Muhaddithun have differed quite extensively with regards to the authenticity of this narration.
Some Muhaddithun like ‘Allamahs: Abu Hatim Ar-Razi, Ibnul Jawzi, and others (rahimahumullah) have acknowledged/considered this narration to be a fabrication. Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah and Muhammad bin Tahir Al-Fattani (rahimahumullah) have both graded the text of this narration unreliable (munkar).
(Kitabul ‘Ilal, Hadith: 2552, Kitabul Mawdu’at, Hadith: 1502. Al-Manarul Munif, Hadith: 56 and Tadhkiratul Mawdu’at, Hadith: 1279; Also see: Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 8920, and Al-Fawaidul Majmu’ah, pg. 224)
Other Muhaddithun such as ‘Allamahs: Haythami, Busiri and Munawi (rahimahumullah) have graded this narration as weak.
(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 8 pg. 59, Ithaful Khiyarah, Hadith: 5521, and Faydhul Qadir, Hadith: 8632; Also see: Al-La-alil Manthurah, Hadith: 213)
A third group consisting of ‘Allamahs: Nawawi, Suyuti, Ibn ‘Arraq, Ibn ‘Allan, Zurqani, and others (rahimahumullah) have graded this narration as sound (hasan).
(Al-Adkhar, Hadith: 771, Fatawal Imam An-Nawawi; Al Masailul Manthurah, pgs. 72-73, Ad-Durarul Muntathirah, Hadith: 387, Tanzihush Shari’ah, vol. 2 pgs. 293-294, Al-Futuhatur Rabbaniyyah, vol. 6 pgs. 28-30, Mukhtasarul Maqasid, Hadith: 1016; Also see: Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 1109, Al-Asrarul Marfu’ah, hadith: 483, and Kashful Khafa, Hadith: 2461)
Summary
Such difference of opinion in the grading of Hadiths is not uncommon. In cases of legitimate difference of opinions like this one, one should not enforce one view over others.
Translation
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has mentioned that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said: ‘Whoever narrated/related a Hadith [or some news/information] and sneezed, then [know that] it is true.
Explanation
The ‘Ulama explain this narration to refer to a scenario wherein someone genuinely sneezes [i.e. without self-inducing it] after relating a Hadith or incident. Based on the purport of this Hadith, such an occurrence would then indicate towards the truthfulness of the speaker.
(Refer: Al-Manarul Munif, Hadith: 56, Al-La-alil Manthurah, Hadith: 213, and Faydhul Qadir, Hadith: 8632)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar