Retraction of Shaykh al-Albaani regarding the Hadeeth of Worldly Affairs

[Abbas.Abu.Yahya]

Retraction of Shaykh al-Albaani regarding the Hadeeth of Worldly Affairs

Compiled and Translated
by
Abbas Abu Yahya

‘Indeed Allaah hates every person who is arrogant, rude, rough, and is greedy, thinks he knows it all and shouts loudly in the market places, who is like a corpse during the night and a donkey during the day, knowledgeable about worldly affairs, ignorant about the matters of the hereafter.’

Da'eef - 'Silsilah Ahadeeth ad-Da'eefah' no. 2304

This hadeeth which has been narrated by Ibn Hibban and al-Bayhaqi, it has been declared weak by Shaykh al-Albaani.

Initially the Shaykh had authenticated this hadeeth in 'Silsilah Ahadeeth as-Saheehah' no.195. However, the Shaykh retracted and declared it to be weak. He removed it from 'Silsilah as-Saheehah' and placed it in 'Silsilah Ahadeeth ad-Da'eefah' no.2304. The Shaykh also declared it Da'eef in his book 'Daeef Targheeb wa Tarheeb' no.378.

Although this hadeeth can be found authenticated in his book 'Saheeh al-Jami as-Sagheer', the Shaykh didn't rely upon this book since it had been in the hands of untrustworthy publishers. The Shaykh never amended the book. However the Shaykh in latter part of his life began a journey to divide the Ahadeeth of 'Saheeh al-Jami as-Sagheer' into a more precise division of hadeeth terminology of 'Saheeh li dhaatihi' ( authentic by itself) and 'Saheeh li ghayreehi' (authentic due to other hadeeth) and 'hasan li dhaatihi' (hasan by itself) and 'hasan li ghayreehi' (hasan due to other hadeeth). This is a colossal task in itself. The Shaykh - may Allah have mercy on him- was sadly unable to complete this work.

The Shaykh commented on the hadeeth after declaring it weak by saying: "how applicable is this hadeeth - even though it is weak - to those kuffar who do not pay any importance to their hereafter, despite them having knowledge of many worldly affairs, Allaah Ta'ala says about them:
<< They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world, and they are heedless of the Hereafter.>>
[ Soorah ar-Rum : 7 ]

Many Muslims have a large percentage of this characteristic in them. Those who spend their days roaming around in the market places, shouting and yelling in those places, and they neglect the obligatory actions and prayers.

<< So woe unto those performers of prayers (hypocrites), who delay their Salaat from their stated fixed times, those who do good deeds only to be seen (of men), and refuse Al-Ma'un (small kindnesses)>>
[Soorah Maa'oon : 4-7]

Taken from: 'Silsilah Ahadeeth ad-Da'eefah' no. 2304

All Praise belongs to Allaah, may His peace and blessings be upon our final Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who follow his guidance.