Question
Please provide the explanation and authenticity of this narration:
Qatadah (rahimahullah) related: Ibn Sirin (rahimahullah) once related a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to a man. The man [retorted], ‘But so and so said such and such.’ Ibn Sirin (rahimahullah) replied, ‘I am relating to you from Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and you saying so and so said such and such? I will never speak to you again!’”
Answer
This narration is recorded in Sunan Darimi. The chain contains a narrator who has been declared weak by some Muhaddithun and reliable according to others.
(Refer: Mizanul I’itidal, vol. 2 pg. 121-123, number: 2998)
Nevertheless, the narration is suitable to quote.
Muhammad Ibn Sirin (rahimahullah) explained that no person’s statement holds weight against the statement of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Therefore he decided so sever ties with the person who challenged Nabi’s (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) statement.
Note: When a qualified jurist (Mujtahid) does not practise on the (apparent meaning) of a particular Hadith, it could be due to him finding other stronger proofs from the Quran or Hadith that differ with the apparent meaning of the Hadith in question, or due to the fact that the narration does not fulfil his acceptance criteria, thereby rendering that particular Hadith unsuitable for practice according to him.
This will therefore not be considered as challenging or rejecting the Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in favour of some other person’s statement.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,
In light of the above clarity, one should not be misled by the Salafi slogan: ‘Is it better to follow the Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) or the statement of Abu Hanifah/Shafi’i etc?’
I have explained this more in the following links: