A Correction of Those Who Say That Weak Hadiths Are to Be Acted Upon in Matters of Virtues

The Shaykh : In my opinion, the view held by some scholars resulted in preserving and maintaining weak hadiths. It was not merely preserving them while their weakness is known, but rather leaving them as they are without the Muslim masses knowing their weakness. This principle led the entire Islamic world to keep weak hadiths as they are, under the name of "acting upon weak hadiths in matters of the virtues of deeds." This is a practical outcome. And by the grace of Allah the Exalted, I am among those who know this truth best, along with some of my brothers. The Islamic world today is immersed in a vast sea of weak hadiths that are acted upon, and they have supported them with that principle: "A weak hadith is acted upon in matters of the virtues of deeds." I will give you an example, because I recently came across it from one of the great scholars of hadith, though it appears to me that he said this before he clarified the position on the aforementioned principle. "A weak hadith is acted upon in matters of the virtues of deeds." I came across a hadith in some treatises, and I was astonished from two aspects. The first aspect is how two treatises were written on this hadith, and then the scholar I mentioned earlier cited this hadith under the name of "a weak hadith is acted upon in matters of the virtues of deeds." What is this weak hadith? And in a narration, Two treatises were written on this hadith. One of them is by a known author, and unfortunately, it is a bundle of unexamined cloth. Unexamined cloth is not inspected; it is not verified. His only concern is "So-and-so narrated from so-and-so, so-and-so narrated from so-and-so." We have no discussion with him. But the discussion now is with the other scholar, who is rightly titled "the Amir al-Mu'minin in hadith" in his time, and this title remains rightfully his, standing until Allah wills, because in my belief and research, I have not found anyone comparable to him. What did he say after a correct scientific research? What is the meaning of his words? In summary, this hadith about the flea is sound, but a weak hadith is acted upon in matters of the virtues of deeds. Glory be to Allah! There are authentic hadiths widespread in the books of knowledge that suffice us for such a weak hadith. Since it has been established through correct scientific criticism that it is not authentic, why do we say, "But it is acted upon in matters of the virtues of deeds"? Where is the virtue here? I say: Why is there virtue? The Muslim must refine his speech and not curse any of Allah's creation, especially if that creation is not accountable, an animal that is not accountable. Many authentic hadiths have come that forbid the Muslim from cursing in general, and other hadiths forbid cursing specific things. You all know the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): This is a known fact. He forbade cursing the rooster and forbade cursing beasts and the like. Then he came with general expressions to keep the Muslim from falling into any kind of cursing, where he (peace be upon him) said in some hadiths: So, this suffices us for the hadith about the flea, especially as I told you earlier, it is not accountable; it is a creature. And there is no doubt that Allah the Exalted, as He rightly said in the Noble Qur'an: So nothing is created in vain; rather, it is for a profound wisdom. Therefore, we should not preserve these weak hadiths and cite them under the name of "a weak hadith is acted upon in matters of the virtues of deeds." So, part of what is included in the principle of purification is purifying the Sunnah from weak hadiths, let alone fabricated hadiths. To this day, my brothers, you will not find a comprehensive book of weak and fabricated hadiths. The example I present to you is sufficient for you to be convinced that the Sunnah has not yet been served. Take any book that deals with weak and fabricated hadiths; it may reach the largest number, meaning two thousand weak hadiths, and no more. Personally, and this is a grace from my Lord upon me, I have gathered about seven thousand weak and fabricated hadiths to this day. Imagine if the scholars of the Muslims had continued with the duty of purifying the Sunnah from weak and fabricated hadiths; you would find that the Islamic world today does not act upon weak and fabricated hadiths. Why? Because the Sunnah would have been presented to them purified from weak and fabricated hadiths. So, purification includes these hadiths that are attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) falsely or fraudulently. Also, purification includes purifying books of spiritual refinement and conduct from many deviations under the name of asceticism and under the name of high, noble morals. This point alone, as far as I know, has not been undertaken by a scholar who purifies this aspect only. This is beneficial knowledge: that the Sunnah is purified from all these aspects that the authentic Sunnah covers and which suffice us for much of it.