❖ The Status of the Isnād of the Ḥadīth on the Names of Allah in Sunan Ibn Mājah ❖
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil fī Ḍawʾ al-Qurʾān wal-Ḥadīth, Vol. 1, p. 489
✿ Question:
In Sunan Ibn Mājah, under the chapter of the Names of Allah, a ḥadīth is mentioned regarding the Ism al-Aʿẓam. Kindly explain the authenticity of its chain.
✿ Text of the Ḥadīth:
Narrated by ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها):
She said that she heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
“O Allah! I ask You by Your pure, blessed, most beloved name to You, by which when You are called upon, You answer; when You are asked by it, You give; when mercy is sought through it, You show mercy; and when relief is sought by it, You grant relief…”
[Complete narration as quoted in the question]
✿ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
- The chain of this narration in Sunan Ibn Mājah contains a narrator named Abū Shaybah, who is muhmal (unidentified).
- In the principles of ḥadīth sciences, a muhmal narrator is considered majhūl (unknown) unless his identity is verified through trustworthy transmitters.
- Due to this weakness, the narration cannot be considered authentic.
Shaykh al-Albānī (رحمه الله) has also included this narration in his Ḍaʿīf Sunan Ibn Mājah, declaring it weak (ḍaʿīf).
Conclusion:The ḥadīth in Sunan Ibn Mājah regarding the Ism al-Aʿẓam through ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها) has a weak chain due to the presence of an unidentified narrator (Abū Shaybah). Therefore, it cannot be relied upon as authentic evidence.
