If there is a weak hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), is it permissible to act upon it if it does not contradict the Qur'an?
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The questioner : If there is a weak hadith from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), is it permissible to act upon it if it does not contradict the Qur'an?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible to act upon a weak hadith.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because if a person acts upon a weak hadith, it means he is attributing to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) what is not established from him, and this is a grave danger. However, some scholars have permitted narrating weak hadiths if they are regarding the virtues of deeds, but they stipulated three conditions for this. The first condition is that the weakness not be severe. The second condition is that the hadith has a basis. The third condition is that one does not believe that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said it. The meaning of having a basis is that this hadith was reported regarding the virtue of congregational prayer, for example; this has a basis, as the prescription of congregational prayer is established.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So if a weak hadith comes regarding its virtue and praising those who perform it, some scholars permit it, meaning its narration and transmission, but on the condition that one does not believe that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said it. Yes.
The questioner : Rather, if it were evidence for a matter and it was the only evidence, yes.
The Shaykh : As for if it were evidence for establishing an independent legal ruling.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then it is not permissible to narrate it or spread it among the people.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : He asks again and says, and this is his last question, he says.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible to act upon a weak hadith.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because if a person acts upon a weak hadith, it means he is attributing to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) what is not established from him, and this is a grave danger. However, some scholars have permitted narrating weak hadiths if they are regarding the virtues of deeds, but they stipulated three conditions for this. The first condition is that the weakness not be severe. The second condition is that the hadith has a basis. The third condition is that one does not believe that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said it. The meaning of having a basis is that this hadith was reported regarding the virtue of congregational prayer, for example; this has a basis, as the prescription of congregational prayer is established.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So if a weak hadith comes regarding its virtue and praising those who perform it, some scholars permit it, meaning its narration and transmission, but on the condition that one does not believe that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said it. Yes.
The questioner : Rather, if it were evidence for a matter and it was the only evidence, yes.
The Shaykh : As for if it were evidence for establishing an independent legal ruling.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Then it is not permissible to narrate it or spread it among the people.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : He asks again and says, and this is his last question, he says.