Question:
Is this authentic?
قال ابن سلام لقد عرفته حين رأيته كما أعرف ابني و معرفتي لمحمد أشد
Answer:
This narration is recorded in Tafsir Tha’labi. Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) had questioned ‘Abdullah ibn Salam (radiyallahu ‘anhu) regarding his recognition of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
(Tafsir Tha’labi; Al Kashfu Wal Bayan, Surah: Al Baqarah, Verse: 146 with slight variation in the wording. Also see: Ad Durrul Manthur, Surah Al Baqarah, Verse: 146, vol. 2 pg. 32)
However, the chain consists of a narrator who has been accused of lying.
(Refer: Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 4 pg. 125, number: 7145 and Taqribut Tahdhib: 5901)
Translation
‘Abdullah ibn Salam (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “I recognised him [i.e. Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam] when I saw him, just as I know my son. But my recognition of Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was even greater.”
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar