❖ A Scholarly Review of Allegations Against Abu Hurairah (RA)
✿ Allegation: The Role of Ka'b al-Ahbar (RA) and the Doubts Concerning Him
◈ Introduction to Ka'b al-Ahbar (رحمه الله)
Kaʿb al-Aḥbār (Ibn Maniʿ al-Ḥimyarī) was a prominent Jewish scholar with deep knowledge of the scriptures of the People of the Book. He was born in the region of Yemen and embraced Islam during the caliphate of ʿUmar al-Farooq (RA). He arrived in Madinah during the caliphate of ʿUmar (RA) and later migrated to Shaam, where he passed away in 32 AH. (Ṭabaqāt Ibn Saʿd)
◈ Views of the Scholars of the Ummah
Leading scholars like Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله), Hafiz Dhahabi (رحمه الله), and Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله) have praised the scholarly status of Kaʿb al-Ahbar (RA).
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله) stated that esteemed Companions such as ʿUmar (RA), ʿAli (RA), and others narrated from him.
A group of Companions attested to his knowledge, and no suspicion of any conspiracy against Islam was ever associated with him. (Ṭabaqāt Ibn Saʿd, Vol. 7, Part 2, p. 156)
◈ Questioning His Faith and Integrity?
After embracing Islam, Kaʿb al-Ahbar (RA) acquired knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah from the Companions and transmitted knowledge of the People of the Book to them.
Although some Companions exercised caution in certain narrations of his, the majority of scholars agreed upon his trustworthiness and integrity. (Difaʿ ʿan Abī Hurairah, p. 261)
✿ Allegation: Relationship Between Abu Hurairah (RA) and Ka'b al-Ahbar (RA)
◈ The Accusation of Studenthood
The claim that Abu Hurairah (RA) was a student of Kaʿb al-Ahbar (RA) is outright false.
Abu Hurairah (RA) was a Companion, whereas Kaʿb al-Ahbar (RA) was a Tābiʿī. A Tābiʿī cannot be the teacher of a Companion.
◈ The Reality
Abu Hurairah (RA) heard certain Isrā’īlī narrations from Kaʿb al-Ahbar (RA), most of which pertained to the stories of earlier nations. He shared these narrations with the Companions and the Tābiʿīn.
◈ The Misconception of Mixing Sources
Bashir bin Saʿd (RA) stated that certain individuals would attend the gatherings of Abu Hurairah (RA) and confuse the narrations of the Prophet ﷺ with those of Kaʿb al-Ahbar (RA).
This was the fault of the listeners, not of Abu Hurairah (RA). (Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ, Vol. 1, p. 436)
◈ Attitude of the Companions
Abu Hurairah (RA) would always clearly distinguish between the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the narrations of Kaʿb al-Ahbar (RA). He never attributed the stories from Kaʿb (RA) to the Prophet ﷺ.
This is in line with the stern warning found in the Hadith: “Whoever fabricates a lie against me deliberately, let him take his seat in the Hellfire.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
✿ Allegation: Inclusion of Isrā’īlī Narrations in Hadith
◈ General Principle Regarding Isrā’īlī Narrations
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (رحمه الله) divided Isrā’īlī narrations into three categories:
① Narrations that conform to the Qur’an and Sunnah – these are acceptable.
② Narrations that contradict the Qur’an and Sunnah – these are rejected.
③ Narrations about which the Qur’an and Sunnah are silent – these are to be suspended (neither accepted nor rejected).
(Muqaddimah Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr)
◈ Why Are These Narrations Found in Tafsir?
Exegetes occasionally mentioned such narrations to clarify concise Qur’anic statements.
These narrations were later scrutinized by Hadith critics and invalid Isrā’īlīyāt were dismissed.
(Muqaddimah Maʿārif al-Qurʾān by Mufti Taqi Usmani)
◈ Are They Harmful?
Isrā’īlī narrations can mislead the public, but scholars possess a criterion for discerning their validity.
Hence, respected commentaries (like al-Muḥarrar al-Wajīz) and Hadith books clearly identify and explain them.
✿ Allegation: Abu Hurairah (RA) Mixed Isrā’īlī Narrations with Hadith
The allegation that Abu Hurairah (RA) included Kaʿb al-Ahbar’s (RA) narrations among the Prophetic Hadith is completely baseless.
✔ Caution of the Companions: The Companions (RA) would always distinguish between various sources and never treated Isrā’īlīyāt as part of the Sharīʿah.
✔ Clarification by Hadith Scholars: Later Hadith scholars carefully sifted through narrations and clarified the distinction between authentic and fabricated ones.
✔ Public Misunderstanding: If someone misattributed a narration of Abu Hurairah (RA), the blame lies upon the individual making the error – not upon Abu Hurairah (RA).
◈ Example: The Hadith of the Tree in Paradise
In the Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA) (found in Musnad Ahmad), a tree in Paradise is mentioned.
Kaʿb al-Ahbar (RA) affirmed its truthfulness. However, this Hadith is also narrated by other Companions such as Abu Saʿīd al-Khudrī (RA) and Sahl bin Saʿd (RA), indicating its authenticity and excluding it from the category of Isrā’īlīyāt. (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
✔ Summary and Conclusion
✦ Kaʿb al-Aḥbār (RA): A distinguished Tābiʿī and scholar of the People of the Book. His narrations were used for historical and moral clarification, not as legal evidence.
✦ Abu Hurairah (RA): A noble Companion who never attributed Isrā’īlīyāt to the Prophet ﷺ. His narrations were marked with precision and integrity.
✦ Isrā’īlī Narrations: Their inclusion is governed by established scholarly principles. Any narrations conflicting with Qur’an and Sunnah were always rejected.
✦ Response to Allegations: All accusations against Abu Hurairah (RA) arise from ignorance and bias, and are not grounded in factual evidence.
