Question
Is the following Hadith authentic? Narrated by ‘Aisha and transmitted by Ibn Maja: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) saw something he liked, he would say: “Al-hamdu lillahi al-ladhi bi ni’matihi tatimmu as-salihat (All praises are for Allah by Whose grace, good deeds are completed).” If he saw something that he disliked, he would say: “Al-hamdu lillahi ‘ala kulli hal (All praises are for Allah under all circumstances).” [Ibn Maja]
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah guide our hearts, tongues, and deeds to that which perpetually pleases Him.
The Prophetic narration in question is sound (hasan) based on supportive evidence, and Allah knows best.
Sources
The Prophetic narration in question has been transmitted in the Sunan of Ibn Maja (as indicated in the question), the Mu’jam Al-Awsat of Tabrani, the Mustadrak of Hakim and the ʿAmal Al-Yawm wa Al-Layla of Ibn Al-Sunni (among others).
Reliability
This Prophetic narration is sound (hasan) according to Imam Nawawi [Al-Adhkar], Albani [Sahih Ibn Maja], and Shuʿayb Arnaʿut in his notes (takhrij) on Ibn Maja. Hakim Naysaburi said that it is authentic (sahih) [Mustadrak], but other scholars opined that this is incorrect, and Allah knows best.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. He served as the resident Imam of Masjid al-Munowar in Retreat, Cape Town, for several years.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.