“I Am the Son of Two Sacrificed Ones” ─ Reality of the Narration and Verdict of the Hadith Scholars
Compiled by: Abu Abdul Aziz Muhammad Yusuf Madani
✦ Introduction
Among the narrations attributed to the Prophet ﷺ are some that become popular among the public, despite lacking authenticity in their chains according to hadith scholars. One such narration is:
“I am the son of two sacrificed ones (dhabiḥayn).”
This article presents an analysis of this narration in the light of hadith scholarship.
✦ The Narration
It is claimed that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“I am the son of two sacrificed ones: one was Isma‘il عليه السلام, and the other my father ‘Abdullah.”
Reference: Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtoom (p. 81)✦ Research and Analysis
This narration with these exact words is baseless (laa aṣl lahu).▣ Opinions of the Scholars
• Shaykh al-Albani رحمه الله
In As-Silsilah ad-Da‘eefah (331): “This wording has no basis.”
• Az-Zayla‘i and Ibn Hajar
In Takhrij al-Kashshaf: “We have not found this hadith with these words.”
• Imam al-Hakim
Mentioned it mu‘allaqan in Al-Mustadrak (2/559), claiming that scholars agreed the sacrificed one was Isma‘il عليه السلام, citing as proof the Prophet’s statement: “I am the son of two sacrificed ones.” But he did not provide a sanad.
▣ A Weak Report
Al-Hakim (2/551) narrated via ‘Abdullah ibn Muhammad al-‘Utbi, from ‘Abdullah ibn Sa‘id, from al-Sunabihi:
Al-Sunabihi said: We were in the assembly of Mu‘awiyah رضي الله عنه, where the discussion arose regarding who the sacrificed son was, Isma‘il or Ishaq. Some said it was Isma‘il, others said Ishaq. Mu‘awiyah said: A Bedouin once came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: “O son of the two sacrificed ones!” The Prophet ﷺ smiled and did not deny it.
✧ The second “sacrificed one” here refers to the Prophet’s father, ‘Abdullah, whom ‘Abd al-Muttalib intended to sacrifice due to a vow, but instead ransomed with one hundred camels.
▣ Judgments of the Hadith Critics
• Imam al-Dhahabi: Called this narration waahi (extremely weak).
• Hafiz Ibn Kathir: Labeled it gharib and very weak (Tafsir 4/18).
• Az-Zurqani: In Sharh al-Mawahib, declared it Hasan, but his grading applied to a different narration (regarding Ishaq), and scholars have critiqued this.
• Al-Suyuti and al-Dhahabi: Both considered it weak.
✦ Conclusion
① The narration with the wording “I am the son of two sacrificed ones” is without basis.
② Some versions exist, but all are transmitted through weak or extremely weak chains.
③ The hadith scholars (Al-Albani, al-Dhahabi, Ibn Kathir) unanimously declared it weak or fabricated.
④ Therefore, attributing this narration to the Prophet ﷺ is impermissible.
Historically, it is true that:• Isma‘il عليه السلام was intended for sacrifice.
• ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib was also nearly sacrificed.
But this should not be quoted as a hadith.
