This is something very alarming as most of the illiterate believers, even many a literate too, who when hear such unauthentic information from their mentors and imams take these to be be true for they can never imagine their imam to be delivering them incorrect or unauthentic information. Now it becomes very difficult to convince such people about what is true or what is otherwise. This is exactly what Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned of more than 1400 years ago for he know his own saying will be misquoted and things will be attributed to him which he never said.
Narrated Abu Hurayrahؓ that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There will be people in the last of my Ummah, who will be narrating to you what neither you nor your fathers heard; so beware of them.
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «سَيَكُونُ فِي آخِرِ أُمَّتِي أُنَاسٌ يُحَدِّثُونَكُمْ مَا لَمْ تَسْمَعُوا أَنْتُمْ وَلَا آبَاؤُكُمْ، فَإِيَّاكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ»
This hadith, mentioned in Sahi Muslim as Hadith number 15, is a warning from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) about people in the later times of the Muslim community (Ummah) who will spread information, stories, or teachings that are not authentic and have no basis in the established teachings of Islam.
Explanation of the Hadith:
- "There will be people in the last of my Ummah": The phrase refers to people who will emerge during the later stages of the Muslim community, often interpreted as people who come after the time of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the early generations (Sahabah, Tabi’een, and their followers). This indicates that as time goes on, there will be more people who might deviate from the original teachings of Islam.
- "Who will be narrating to you what neither you nor your fathers heard": The Prophet (ﷺ) is warning that these individuals will convey stories, teachings, or religious information that are new and unfamiliar—things that were not known or taught by the Prophet (ﷺ) himself, his companions, or the early generations of Muslims.
This could include fabrications, innovations in religious practices (bid'ah), or misinterpretations that deviate from the authentic teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
- "So beware of them": The Prophet (ﷺ) advises Muslims to be cautious of such people and not to accept their information without scrutiny. The warning emphasizes the need for critical thinking, verification, and adherence to the authentic and established sources of Islamic knowledge.
It reminds Muslims to be careful in following only the teachings that have a clear and authentic chain of transmission back to the Prophet (ﷺ) and not to be misled by new ideas or practices that contradict the Sunnah.
Lessons from the Hadith:
- Importance of Authenticity in Knowledge: Islam places a strong emphasis on ensuring that religious knowledge is authentic and traceable back to the Prophet (ﷺ). The hadith encourages Muslims to seek knowledge from reliable sources, such as the Qur’an and the verified Sunnah, and to be wary of unverified information.
- The Danger of Fabrications and Innovations (Bid'ah): The Prophet (ﷺ) warns against those who introduce new practices or beliefs that were not taught by him or practiced by the early generations. Such innovations (bid'ah) can lead to confusion and misguidance, pulling people away from the true teachings of Islam.
- Need for Caution and Verification: The hadith serves as a reminder that Muslims should be cautious when encountering new or unfamiliar teachings. Before accepting anything as religious knowledge, it should be verified against authentic sources. Scholars and learned individuals play a crucial role in helping the community discern the truth.
- Sticking to the Sunnah: By advising caution, the Prophet (ﷺ) indirectly encourages Muslims to adhere closely to the Sunnah and the understanding of the early generations (the Salaf). These generations are considered the best models for understanding and practicing Islam as they directly received and transmitted the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ).
Application in Today’s Context:
In contemporary times, with the spread of information through the internet and social media, this hadith is particularly relevant. Many people claim to speak for Islam, but not all of them adhere to authentic teachings.
Muslims are encouraged to consult qualified scholars and verified sources of knowledge. It's essential to cross-check information and ensure it aligns with the established teachings of Islam before accepting or sharing it.
This hadith thus serves as a timeless warning for Muslims to remain vigilant and cautious when encountering new or unfamiliar teachings about Islam. It emphasizes the importance of sticking to authentic sources and the Sunnah, and of verifying religious information to avoid falling into misguidance.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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