The Authenticity of the Hadith: “Mention the Good Qualities of Your Dead”
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Fatwa No. ( 9102 ):
Q: We have a shaykh who is a scholar of religion, and he says in his gatherings: “Mention all our deceased,” but the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) birthday is an innovation. And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Mention your dead with good.” Is this a hadith from the Prophet, and what is the ruling on these gatherings?
A: First: What was mentioned is not the text of the hadith. Abu Dawud , al-Tirmidhi , al-Hakim , and al-Bayhaqi narrated from Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1019Da'if (Darussalam) However, it is not authentic; because in its chain is 'Imran ibn Anas al-Makki , about whom al-Bukhari said: “He is a denouncer of hadith,” and al-'Uqayli said: “No one corroborates his hadith.” Second: Even if this hadith were authentic, it would not indicate the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) birthday, nor gathering for that purpose. Rather, it indicates mentioning him and other Muslims with good and kindness, absolutely, in any time and place, without specification except what the Shari'ah has specified. This is a right commanded regarding every Muslim in general, and regarding the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in particular, whenever his name is mentioned in the adhan, in the iqamah for prayer, and after them, in the tashahhud in prayer, in the Friday sermons, and other such occasions, without specifying his day of birth or night, and without gathering for that. For this reason, the Rightly Guided Caliphs did not gather for that, nor did the rest of the Companions
(may Allah be pleased with them), who are more knowledgeable of the Shari'ah and more understanding of its texts and objectives than we are, and more eager to act upon it and to fulfill the rights of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) than we are. The best of guidance is their guidance. Therefore, holding birthday celebrations is an innovation in religion; because it contradicts the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the guidance of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). And success is from Allah. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We have a shaykh who is a scholar of religion, and he says in his gatherings: “Mention all our deceased,” but the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) birthday is an innovation. And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Mention your dead with good.” Is this a hadith from the Prophet, and what is the ruling on these gatherings?
A: First: What was mentioned is not the text of the hadith. Abu Dawud , al-Tirmidhi , al-Hakim , and al-Bayhaqi narrated from Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
Mention good things about your dead, and refrain from (mentioning) their evil.
اذكروا محاسن موتاكم، وكفوا عن مساويهم(may Allah be pleased with them), who are more knowledgeable of the Shari'ah and more understanding of its texts and objectives than we are, and more eager to act upon it and to fulfill the rights of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) than we are. The best of guidance is their guidance. Therefore, holding birthday celebrations is an innovation in religion; because it contradicts the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the guidance of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). And success is from Allah. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.