Is it permissible to mention weak hadiths in preaching and guidance?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : What is the ruling on narrating weak hadiths that are used in sermons?
The Shaykh : Weak hadiths that are used in sermons are not permissible to mention except under 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 is that the act mentioned in the hadith, whether it encourages or warns against something, must have a basis. For example, if a weak hadith comes regarding the encouragement of congregational prayer, this has a basis, because the command for congregational prayer is authentic. Or if a weak hadith comes regarding the warning against backbiting, this has a basis.
But if a weak hadith comes regarding an act that was not prescribed, such as the prayer of tasbih, for example, it is not permissible to rely on it or mention it except by clarifying its weakness.
The third condition is that one does 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 common person hears the hadith, he will believe that it is from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He will believe that it is from the Messenger. Therefore, it is not permissible for us to mention weak hadiths before the general public, even in matters of encouragement or warning, 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.
The Shaykh : Weak hadiths that are used in sermons are not permissible to mention except under 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 is that the act mentioned in the hadith, whether it encourages or warns against something, must have a basis. For example, if a weak hadith comes regarding the encouragement of congregational prayer, this has a basis, because the command for congregational prayer is authentic. Or if a weak hadith comes regarding the warning against backbiting, this has a basis.
But if a weak hadith comes regarding an act that was not prescribed, such as the prayer of tasbih, for example, it is not permissible to rely on it or mention it except by clarifying its weakness.
The third condition is that one does 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 common person hears the hadith, he will believe that it is from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). He will believe that it is from the Messenger. Therefore, it is not permissible for us to mention weak hadiths before the general public, even in matters of encouragement or warning, 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.