The Ruling on Narrating Weak Hadiths in Sermons
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His Eminence the Shaykh: What is the ruling on narrating weak hadiths that are used in sermons?
Weak hadiths that are used in sermons are not permissible to mention except with three conditions: The first condition is that the weakness not be severe; if the weakness is severe, it is not permissible to mention it.
The second condition: There must be a basis for the act in which the encouragement or warning is given. For example, if a weak hadith comes regarding the encouragement of congregational prayer, for instance, there is a basis for this, because the command for congregational prayer has been authentically established. Or if a weak hadith comes regarding the warning against backbiting, there is a basis for this. However, if a weak hadith comes regarding an act that is not prescribed, such as the prayer of tasbih, for instance, it is not permissible to rely on it or mention it except by clarifying its weakness.
The third condition: One must not believe that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said it. This condition obligates us not to mention weak hadiths before the general public at all. Why? Because if the layperson hears the hadith, he will believe that it is from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, it is not permissible for us to mention weak hadiths before the general public unless the man mentions the hadith and then says: "This hadith is weak." This is better in order to clarify the matter as it is.
Weak hadiths that are used in sermons are not permissible to mention except with three conditions: The first condition is that the weakness not be severe; if the weakness is severe, it is not permissible to mention it.
The second condition: There must be a basis for the act in which the encouragement or warning is given. For example, if a weak hadith comes regarding the encouragement of congregational prayer, for instance, there is a basis for this, because the command for congregational prayer has been authentically established. Or if a weak hadith comes regarding the warning against backbiting, there is a basis for this. However, if a weak hadith comes regarding an act that is not prescribed, such as the prayer of tasbih, for instance, it is not permissible to rely on it or mention it except by clarifying its weakness.
The third condition: One must not believe that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said it. This condition obligates us not to mention weak hadiths before the general public at all. Why? Because if the layperson hears the hadith, he will believe that it is from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, it is not permissible for us to mention weak hadiths before the general public unless the man mentions the hadith and then says: "This hadith is weak." This is better in order to clarify the matter as it is.