Question
Is this Hadith authentic?
‘Adiy ibn Hatim (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessing be upon him, said:
فإن طالت بك حياة، لترين الظعينة ترتحل من الحيرة، حتى تطوف بالكعبة لا تخاف أحدا إلا الله
If you live long enough, you will see a woman travelling from Hirah to perform circulation around the Ka’bah while fearing none but Allah.
Answer
This Hadith is recorded in Sahih Bukhari and is therefore authentic.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3595)
This is part of a longer Hadith explaining that a person had complained to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) regarding poverty. Another person complained regarding highway robbers. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) consoled them by saying soon a time will come wherein a woman will travel across lands that are notorious for highway robberies, fearing none but Allah. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) further explained that treasures will come into the hands of Muslims.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) therefore consoled these Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) by explaining that soon the condition of fear and poverty will change to one of safety and wealth. The narrator, Sayyiduna ‘Adiy ibn Hatim (radiyallahu ‘anhu) stated that he witnessed both of these prophecies come to fruition.
Some scholars have mentioned that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) merely informing of what will occur does not indicate toward the permissibility/impermissibility of an action. (Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 1862, vol. 4 pg. 76. Also see: I’ilaus Sunan, vol. 10 pg. 10-16)
Kindly refer to a Mufti/Darul Ifta for further clarification on this issue.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar