The Consensus of the Early Scholars on the Authenticity of the Hadith of the Girl

The Shaykh: So when you see a hadith like the hadith of the girl: . She said: "In the sky." He said: . She said: "You are the Messenger of Allah." He said: . I saw this type of hadith in "Sahih Muslim," and then I saw the early and later scholars explicitly affirming the authenticity of this hadith, with some of them following Muslim in authenticating this hadith. I will give you two examples only. Muslim narrated this hadith in his "Sahih"; so, it is authentic in his view. The Imam al-Bayhaqi says the chain of this hadith is authentic. There are many examples, but I told you, just two examples. Now, who can surpass Muslim and al-Bayhaqi, and the other scholars between them whose names are found in the detailed books, and those who came after them, like al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar who authenticates this hadith? Who remains? Do you think, you Muslims, that someone from the second group can come and declare these scholars wrong and say, "You made a mistake; this hadith is erroneous"? Is there not in the authentic hadith "Where is Allah?" but rather "From your Lord"? Do you testify to the rest of it? Tell me now what is in your hearts. How do you handle such an issue? Some people in this era say this hadith is authentic, and others say no, this hadith is erroneous, and they swear by Allah that the Messenger did not say this. What is your opinion? The scholars who followed one another and supported each other in explicitly affirming the authenticity of this hadith—are they in error, and this person today, who is a novice in this knowledge, a novice in this knowledge, oversteps these masses of scholars? Some believe in their knowledge and follow their path, and some oppose them; he opposes them all. What is your opinion? Is this methodology sound?

The questioner: We need to look at the man's claim. We need to look at his claim.

The Shaykh: You cannot, Professor, understand his claim. May Allah be pleased with you. You cannot. You are from the general public. Do not forget your status. Whoever knows himself has known his Lord. You cannot now. I am telling you, can you study the chains of Muslim, Malik, Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and so on, who narrated this hadith, the majority of whom accepted it, and some of whom explicitly affirmed its authenticity? Can you examine every narrator among them, from the Companion down to you, and know them as trustworthy or as having defects?

The questioner: I do not want to answer you. My capacity is, of course, limited to the extent of my ability, which is simple.