False Narration About Prophet ﷺ Applying Spittle to Ali’s (RA) Eyes

Investigative Analysis of the Narration Regarding the Prophet ﷺ Applying Spittle to Ali’s (RA) Eyes
Authored by: Hafiz Muhammad Anwar Zahid (May Allah protect him)

❖ The Claim: The Prophet ﷺ Applied Spittle to the Eyes of Ali (RA)​

Hazrat Abdullah (RA) reported:
The Prophet ﷺ applied spittle (like kohl) to the eyes of Ali (RA).
[Mizān al-I‘tidāl: 6/476; Mentioned by al-Hāfiẓ in al-Lisān]

❖ The Narrator: Mu‘allā bin ‘Irfān​

This narration is reported by Mu‘allā bin ‘Irfān, who narrates from his uncle Abu Wā’il Shaqīq bin Salamah.

• Shaqīq bin Salamah was his uncle and a renowned Imam among the Tabi‘īn. He is free from any such fabrications.

However, the issue lies with Mu‘allā, his nephew, about whom the scholars have passed serious judgments:

• Yahya ibn Ma‘īn said: He is nothing.
• Al-Bukhari stated: He is Munkar al-Hadith (narrates objectionable Hadith).
• Al-Nasa’i: He is Matruk (abandoned).
• Al-Dhahabi: He was an extremist Shia (ghālī Shī‘ī).
  
  • He narrated that Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (RA) was present at the Battle of Ṣiffīn, despite the fact that Ibn Mas‘ud (RA) passed away during the lifetime of Uthman (RA).
  • Thus, the narration itself died before coming into existence.

❖ Scholarly Criticism of Mu‘allā bin ‘Irfān​

• Al-Bukhari writes: Mu‘allā bin ‘Irfān al-Asadi al-Kufi narrates from his uncle Shaqīq. He is Munkar al-Hadith.
  [Kitāb al-Ḍu‘afā’ al-Ṣaghīr: Pg. 110]
• Al-Nasa’i writes: Mu‘allā bin ‘Irfān is Matruk al-Hadith (his narrations are to be abandoned).
  [Kitāb al-Ḍu‘afā’ wa al-Matrūkīn, al-Nasa’i: Pg. 97]
• Al-Daraqutni: Mu‘allā bin ‘Irfān was a Kufan who narrated from Abu Wā’il (Shaqīq). He is Matruk al-Hadith.
  [Kitāb al-Ḍu‘afā’ wa al-Matrūkīn, al-Daraqutni: Pg. 158]

❖ Final Commentary​

In the marginal notes, it is mentioned:

• Al-Hāfiẓ wrote: All Hadith critics unanimously agree on the falsehood (kadhb) of this narrator.
• He was a ghālī (extremist) Shia, and his reports reflect his sectarian tendencies, not authentic transmission.

Conclusion:​

The narration that the Prophet ﷺ applied his spittle to Ali’s (RA) eyes is unauthentic and lacks credibility due to the involvement of Mu‘allā bin ‘Irfān, a narrator unanimously declared unreliable, abandoned, and a fabricator by the leading Hadith scholars. Hence, this narration holds no weight in Islamic evidence or virtue.