Please relate the hadith about sahabah & munafiq father whom the sahabah confronted at the city gates.

Question

Insha'Allah, I would like to have the hadith and its isnad with a statement of its level of authenticity. There is a hadith about a munafiq who used to secretly insult Rasulullah (S.A.W.). His son found out about it when the father was out of town on a journey. The son confronted the father at the gates to the town upon his return and threatened to execute his munafiq father on the spot if he did not take back everything that he had said against Rasulullah (S.A.W.). The munafiq took back the words, so the son didn't execute him. Word of all this got back to Rasulullah (S.A.W.) who did not object. May Allah (S.W.T.) bless you and reward you for your efforts. JazakAllahair.

Mufti Ebrahim Desai · Accepted Answer

The Munaafiqeen referred to in this incident was Abdullah ibn Ubayy, who was the notorious leader of the Munaafiqeen.

Imaam Bukhari (RA) has recorded several narrations of the following Hadith in his Chapter on Tafsir (Sahih Bukhari vol.2 pg.728; Deoband), most detailed among these are the narrations of Ali ibn Madini and al-Humaidi (two teachers of Imaam Bukhari) from Sufyaan ibn Uyaynah from Amr ibn Dinaar who narrates from Jaabir (Radhiallaahu Anhu).

These narrations are similar in content. In the interest of brevity, only the narration of Ali (RA) will be quoted. Jaabir (Radhiallaahu Anhu) says, 'We were with Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) on a campaign, one when a Muhaajir kicked an Ansaari. The Ansari called out, 'Up, people of the Ansaar!' Then, then Muhaajir called out for the Muhajireen, 'Up, people of the Muhajireen!' Each calling to his fraternity for support.

Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) heard this and reprimanded, 'What are these calls of Jaahiliyyah (period of ignorance) I hear?' They complained to him that a Muhajir kicked an Ansari. He replied, 'Overlook it, indeed it (practices of Jaahiliyya) bring an evil stench.' When Abdullah ibn Ubayy (the Munaafiq) heard this, he remarked, 'What! Have they been shown favouritism? If we get back to Madinah, the honourable will certainly expel the despised one (referring to Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).'

News of this reached Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu), (who was present this time) rose and said, 'Oh Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), grant me leave to strike off the head of this Munaafiq.' Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) answered, 'Spare him. People should not find an opportunity to say that Muhammad kills his companions.' Jaabir (Radhiallaahu Anhu) says, 'The Ansaar outnumbered the Muhajireen when they (Muhajireen) first arrived in Madinah, thereafter, the numbers of the Muhaajireen increased. (Sahih Bukhari vol.2 pg.728; Deoband)

In Sunan Tirmidhi, the same Hadith is narrated from Sufyan by Ibn Umar. At the end of the Hadith, Imaam Tirmidhi (RA) comments that others relating the Hadith from Jabir (Radhiallaahu Anhu) besides Amr ibn Dinaar have also related the following: 'The son of Abdullah ibn Ubayy (whose name was also Abdullah) said to him, 'You will never enter until you declare that you are the despised one and Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is honourable.' He, then did so. Thereafter, Imaam Tirmidhi states, 'This is a good Sahih (authentic) Hadith.' (Tirmidhi vol.2 pg.168; HM Saeed)

Other narrations include Abdullah's request that he be granted permission to kill his father, which Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) refused as has been recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim from Uqayl from Dhuhri who narrates from Urwa ibn Zubayr and Amr ibn Thabit (Radhiallaahu Anhum). This Isnad is Mursal but has been certified by Hafiz Ibn Hajar (RA) as acceptable. (Fathul Bari vol.8 pg.837; Qadeemi)

Ishaaq (RA) in his famous Al-Maghaazi and Tabari have also included this. (Ibid pg.838)

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

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