Question
I have come across the undermentioned post on a group chat.
Would you be so kind as to please explain if this is authentic?
“See example of Abu Hurayrah from Sahih Muslim in his Sahih in Volume 1, writes that during the time of the Prophet, ‘Umar ibn Khattab beat Abu Hurayrah for fabricating lies.
In Volume 2 of Sahih Muslim, he quotes ‘Aaishah, “Abu Hurayrah is a great liar who fabricates Hadith and attributes them to the holy Prophet.”
In Volume 4 of Sahih Muslim, Nadwi says “Imam Abu Hanifah said, ‘The Companions of the Prophet were generally pious and just. I accept every Hadith narrated by them, but I do not accept the Hadith whose source is Abu Hurayrah, Anas ibn Malik, or Samurah ibn Jundub.”
Answer
This is an extremely misleading, false message and should not be shared at all.
As far as the first allegation, it seems to be a major misinterpretation that could have stemmed from the following lengthy Hadith.
This is a Hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim where mention has been made of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) pushing Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) on the chest in such a manner that caused him (i.e Abu Hurayrah – radiyallahu ‘anhu) to fall down.
The commentators of Hadith have mentioned that this action was not done intentionally to harm Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Rather, it was done to stop him from proceeding immediately with what he had just heard from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam): namely, that anyone who testifies and proclaims there is no one worthy of worship besides Allah Ta’ala, having absolute conviction with his/her heart, should be granted glad tidings of entering paradise. Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) wanted him to reconsider announcing this to the general masses, and even explained this clearly to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) after Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) raised the matter up to him.
Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “Indeed I fear that the people will become complacent with their actions, so allow them to continue doing good deeds (without informing them of this great virtue). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) then agreed with ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
In no way whatsoever did ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) beat him for fabricating lies.
(Refer: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 31; Also see: Al-Minhaj, vol. 1 pg. 180-184)
The second two statements seem to be absolutely baseless, and I did not manage to locate anything of the sort.
(Also see: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1109, Al-Ijabah of ‘Allamah Zarkashi, pg. 112-128, and As-Sunnah Qablat Tadwin, pg. 300 onwards)
Such accusations and fabrications are completely irrational. All of the Sahabah were selected by Allah Ta’ala to accompany Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam), to learn from him and pass on Islam to the rest of the world. Allah Ta’ala would never choose people who would end up forging Hadiths against our beloved Master, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam).
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (rahimahullah) has reserved strong words for those who have wrongfully accused Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu). He commences with the following words: “Only those whose hearts Allah Ta’ala has blinded, speak ill of Sayyiduna Abu Huraryah (radiyallahu ‘anhu), attempting to belittle and refute his narrations….”
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 3 pg. 513; Also see: As-Sunnah Qablat Tadwin, pg. 304)
Also see here.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,
Furthermore, the quote in question is flawed, as it quotes from some ‘Nadwi that Imam Abu Hanifah said’ and references this to Sahih Muslim. There is no such quote anywhere in Sahih Muslim.
One should always be wary of such misinformation on the internet. We are taught to only take knowledge from credible authorities.
People of falsehood have the habit of citing a credible source [like Sahih Muslim in this case], but alter the words and completely misquote from that albeit authentic source.