Is it permissible to cite weak hadiths as evidence?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Is it permissible to cite weak hadiths as evidence?
The Shaykh : Weak hadiths are not to be cited as evidence, and it is not permissible to attribute them to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) except in a manner that makes it clear that they are weak. Whoever narrates from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) a hadith that he knows to be a lie is one of the two liars. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Sunan Abi Dawud 3651Sahih (Al-Albani) Therefore, it is not permissible to act upon a weak hadith.
However, some scholars have permitted mentioning a weak hadith under three conditions. The first condition is that its weakness not be severe.
The second condition is that it must have a basis.
The third condition is that one does not believe that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said it. If the weakness is severe, it is not permissible to mention the weak hadith at all, except if the person intends to clarify its weakness. And if it has no basis, it is not permissible to mention it either.
An example of a hadith that has a basis is a hadith regarding the virtue of congregational prayer, for instance, which is weak. There is no harm in mentioning it here to encourage congregational prayer, because it encourages congregational prayer and does no harm. If it is authentic, one has obtained the reward associated with it. If it is not authentic, one has used it to assist in obeying Allah. However, the third condition applies: one must not believe that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said it, but rather hope that he said it because of the reward mentioned in it.
The questioner : Very well.
The Shaykh : Some scholars have said that a weak hadith is not permissible to mention absolutely, except if accompanied by a clarification of its weakness. This opinion is undoubtedly the safest and most secure for the conscience. As for encouraging or warning, the authentic hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) are sufficient.
The questioner : O Allah, send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad.
The listener H. A. M. from Makkah says.
The Shaykh : Weak hadiths are not to be cited as evidence, and it is not permissible to attribute them to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) except in a manner that makes it clear that they are weak. Whoever narrates from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) a hadith that he knows to be a lie is one of the two liars. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
He who lies about me deliberately will certainly come to his abode in Hell.
من كذب علي متعمداً فليتبوأ مقعده من النارHowever, some scholars have permitted mentioning a weak hadith under three conditions. The first condition is that its weakness not be severe.
The second condition is that it must have a basis.
The third condition is that one does not believe that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said it. If the weakness is severe, it is not permissible to mention the weak hadith at all, except if the person intends to clarify its weakness. And if it has no basis, it is not permissible to mention it either.
An example of a hadith that has a basis is a hadith regarding the virtue of congregational prayer, for instance, which is weak. There is no harm in mentioning it here to encourage congregational prayer, because it encourages congregational prayer and does no harm. If it is authentic, one has obtained the reward associated with it. If it is not authentic, one has used it to assist in obeying Allah. However, the third condition applies: one must not believe that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said it, but rather hope that he said it because of the reward mentioned in it.
The questioner : Very well.
The Shaykh : Some scholars have said that a weak hadith is not permissible to mention absolutely, except if accompanied by a clarification of its weakness. This opinion is undoubtedly the safest and most secure for the conscience. As for encouraging or warning, the authentic hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) are sufficient.
The questioner : O Allah, send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad.
The listener H. A. M. from Makkah says.