If You Had Not Been...

Written by: Ibn al-Hasan Muhammadi

The Purpose of Creation​

The universe was created for what purpose? The concise answer is for the worship of Allah, as stated in the divine command:

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."

(Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56)

It is evident that the system of the universe was created by the Creator for Himself.

The Misguided Belief of Some Sufis​

Contrary to this Quranic statement, misguided Sufis have popularized a false and fabricated narration that the creation of the universe was for the sake of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They claim that if he had not been there, the universe would not have been created. This belief contradicts the Quran, and the narrations cited in this regard are false, fabricated, and weak.

A detailed examination and impartial commentary on all the chains of narrations in the hadith literature regarding this self-made belief is presented. Readers are encouraged to carefully study this article and decide for themselves whether such narrations can be considered part of Islam and whether those who present such narrations in support of their beliefs can truly be the well-wishers of Islam and Muslims.

Analysis of the Narration: "If You Had Not Been" - Narration No. 1​

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah said:

"If it were not for you, O Muhammad, I would not have created the world."

(Tarikh Ibn Asakir, 3/518; Al-Mawdu'at by Ibn al-Jawzi, 1/288-289)

Commentary:

This is a false and fabricated narration.

Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi classified it as "mawdu" (fabricated). Hafiz Suyuti also upheld this judgment (Al-La'ali al-Masnu'a fi al-Ahadith al-Mawdu'a, 1/272).
The reasons for declaring this narration false are multiple:

Muhammad bin Isa bin Hayyan al-Mada'ini is considered "weak" (unreliable) by the majority of scholars of hadith.

• Imam al-Daraqutni deemed him "matruk al-hadith" (abandoned in hadith) (Su'alaat al-Hakim, 171).
• He also referred to him as "weak" (Al-'Ilal, 5/347; Sunan al-Daraqutni, 1/78).
• Hafiz Abu Ahmad al-Hakim stated, "He narrated from his teachers what reliable narrators did not agree with him on." (Tarikh Baghdad, 2/399; its chain is authentic)
• Hafiz al-Lalakai also called him "weak" (Tarikh Baghdad, 2/398).
• Imam Hakim considered him "matruk" (Mizan al-I'tidal by Al-Dhahabi, 3/678).
• Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi called him "weak" (Al-Mawdu'at, 1/289).
• Only Imam Ibn Hibban mentioned him in his book "Thiqaat" (Trustworthy Narrators) (9/143), and Barqani called him "trustworthy" (Tarikh Baghdad, 2/398), but the majority opinion of his weakness prevails.

Muhammad bin Sabah, if he is the Kufan narrator, was described by Imam Abu Hatim as "not strong." (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil by Ibn Abi Hatim, 7/290)
Ibrahim bin Abi Hiyyah was also a very "weak" narrator.

• Imam Bukhari called him "munkar al-hadith" (denier of hadith) (Al-Tarikh al-Kabir, 1/283).
• Imam al-Daraqutni included him in his book of weak and abandoned narrators (Kitab al-Du'afa wal-Matrukin, 17) and called him "matruk" (abandoned) (Mizan al-I'tidal by Al-Dhahabi, 1/79).
• Imam al-Nasa'i called him "weak" (Al-Kamil fi Du'afa al-Rijal by Ibn 'Adi, 1/238; its chain is authentic).
• Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi said he was "munkar al-hadith" (denier of hadith) (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil by Ibn Abi Hatim, 2/149, No. 491).
• Imam Ali ibn al-Madini said: "He was nothing." (Lisan al-Mizan by Ibn Hajar, 1/52)
• Imam Ibn Hibban said: "He narrates strange and fabricated reports from Ja'far ibn Muhammad and Hisham, which suggest deliberate forgery." (Kitab al-Majrooheen by Ibn Hibban, 1/103-104)
• Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi also called him "weak" (Al-Mawdu'at, 1/289).
• However, Imam Yahya ibn Sa'id called him "Shaykh Thiqa Kabir" (A great trustworthy sheikh) (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil, 2/149), but this statement is not considered reliable against the majority opinion.

Khalil bin Murrah is also considered "weak" by the majority of scholars.

• Imam Bukhari referred to him as "munkar al-hadith" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3474, 2666).
• He also said: "He is under scrutiny." (Al-Tarikh al-Kabir, 3/199)
• Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi considered him unreliable in hadith (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil by Ibn Abi Hatim, 3/379).
• Imam al-Nasa'i also called him "weak" (Al-Du'afa wal-Matrukin, 178).
• Imam Yahya ibn Ma'in also said "weak." (Al-Majrooheen by Ibn Hibban, 1/286; its chain is authentic)
• Imam Ibn Hibban said: "He narrates strange reports from famous narrators and mostly narrates from unknown narrators." (Al-Majrooheen by Ibn Hibban, 1/286)
• Hafiz Ibn Hajar and Hafiz al-Dhahabi also classified him as "weak." Thus, the majority's criticism outweighs any individual endorsement.

If the narrator Yahya refers to Yahya ibn Abi Salih Saman, he is unknown (Taqrib al-Tahdhib, 7569). Only Imam Ibn Hibban classified him as trustworthy.

• Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi said about him: "An unknown sheikh, I do not know him." (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil, 9/158)
• If it refers to Yahya ibn Abi Hiyyah Abu Janab al-Kalbi, then he is "weak" and a practitioner of "Tadlis al-Taswiyyah".

• Allama Zayla'i al-Hanafi wrote: "Most people consider al-Kalbi weak." (Nasb al-Raya by al-Zayla'i, 2/23)
• Hafiz al-Iraqi said: "The majority of scholars have declared him weak." (Takhrij Ahadith al-Ihya, 3708)
• Thus, this chain is invalid due to five reasons. Only people of falsehood can rely on it.

Analysis of the Narration: "If You Had Not Been" - Narration No. 2​

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"Gabriel came to me and said: 'O Muhammad! If it were not for you, I would not have created Paradise, and if it were not for you, I would not have created Hell.'"

(Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Da'eefa by Al-Albani, 1/450)

Commentary:

This is a fabricated narration because:

1. The circumstances of 'Ubaydullah ibn Musa al-Qurashi are unknown.
2. There is no verification or detail about Fudayl ibn Ja'far ibn Sulayman.
3. 'Abd al-Samad ibn Ali ibn Abdullah also lacks verification.
   • Imam 'Aqili said about him: "His hadith is not preserved and is known only through him." (Al-Du'afa al-Kabir by al-'Aqili, 3/84)
   • It appears that this narration is the work of one of these three.

Analysis of the Narration: "If You Had Not Been" - Narration No. 3​

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that:

"Allah revealed to Jesus (peace be upon him): 'O Jesus! Believe in Muhammad and command those of your Ummah who meet him to believe in him. If Muhammad had not been, I would not have created Adam. If Muhammad had not been, I would not have created Paradise and Hell. I created the Throne on water, and it trembled. Then I wrote on it: There is no deity except Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. It then became still.'"

(Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahihayn by al-Hakim, 2/514-515, Hadith: 4227)

Commentary:

This is a fabricated story attributed to Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) because:

1. The narrator 'Amr ibn Aws al-Ansari is an unknown and unidentified narrator.
   • Hafiz al-Dhahabi said about him: "His state is unknown; he brought a strange report, which al-Hakim included in his Mustadrak. I believe it is fabricated." (Mizan al-I'tidal, 3/5246, No. 6330)
   • Hafiz Suyuti said: "Al-Dhahabi said: In its chain is 'Amr ibn Aws, unknown who he is." (Al-Khasa'is al-Kubra, 1/14)
2. Sa'id ibn Abi 'Arubah is a "mudallis" (concealer of defects in hadith chains) and "mukhtalit" (one who mixed up narrations).
3. Qatadah ibn Di'amah is also a "mudallis" and did not specify hearing.
   Therefore, the authentication of this chain by Imam Hakim is not reliable.
   Hafiz al-Dhahabi refuted Imam Hakim's statement, writing: "I think it is fabricated upon Sa'id." (Talkhis al-Mustadrak by al-Dhahabi, 2/415)
   In Lisan al-Mizan, Hafiz Ibn Hajar upheld the same judgment.

In addition to being unfounded, this statement also contradicts the established religious texts.

Note:

In Tabaqat al-Muhaddithin bi Isbahan by Abu al-Sheikh, the follow-up of the unknown 'Amr ibn Aws al-Ansari was narrated by Sa'id ibn Aws al-Ansari, but its chain contains the missing narrator Muhammad ibn 'Umar al-Muharibi, making this follow-up invalid.

Analysis of the Narration: "If You Had Not Been" - Narration No. 4​

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

"When Allah created Adam and breathed into him from His Spirit, Adam sneezed and said: 'All praise is due to Allah.' Allah said: 'My servant has praised Me. By My might and majesty, if it were not for two servants whom I intend to create in the world, I would not have created you.' He said: 'O my God, will they be from me?' He said: 'Yes, O Adam! Raise your head and look.' So, Adam raised his head and saw written on the Throne: There is no deity except Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the Prophet of Mercy."

(Al-Manaqib by Al-Muwaffaq al-Khwarizmi, p. 318; Al-Jawahir al-Saniyya fi al-Ahadith al-Qudsiyya by al-Hurr al-'Amili, p. 292-293)

Commentary:

This is a fabricated narration because:

1. Al-Muwaffaq was a Rafidhi (Shi'ite). There is no evidence of his reliability.
2. Although Abu Muhammad Harun ibn Musa al-Tal'akbari is affirmed in Shi'ite books, there is no confirmation of him in Sunni books. On the contrary, Hafiz al-Dhahabi said about him: "Narrator of strange reports, Rafidhi." (Mizan al-I'tidal, 4/287, No. 9174)
3. Fihyan 'Attar Abu Nasr has no known record.
4. Rabi' ibn Jarrah is also unidentified.
5. The tadlis (concealment of defects in hadith chains) of Sulaiman ibn Mehran al-A'mash is present.
6. The identification and verification of 'Abdul Aziz ibn Abdullah is required.
7. The identification and verification of Ja'far ibn Muhammad is required.
8. The identification and verification of 'Abdul Karim is required.
9. Ibn Shadhan is praised in Shi'ite books, but there is no such mention in Sunni books. On the contrary, Hafiz al-Dhahabi said about one of his narrations: "It is a lie." (Mizan al-I'tidal, 3/466)
   Hafiz al-Dhahabi also said: "Indeed, Khwarazmi took a lot of false and silly reports from this impostor Ibn Shadhan in the virtues of Sayyid Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)." (Mizan al-I'tidal, 3/467)

There are many other issues with this narration.

Analysis of the Narration: "If You Had Not Been" - Narration No. 5​

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

"When Allah created Adam and breathed into him the soul, Adam sneezed, and he was inspired to say: 'All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.' Then Allah revealed to him: 'O Adam! You have praised Me. By My might and majesty, if it were not for two servants whom I intend to create at the end of the world, I would not have created you.'"

(Bisharat al-Mustafa by Muhammad al-Tabari al-Rafidhi, p. 116-117; Al-Jawahir al-Saniyya fi al-Ahadith al-Qudsiyya by al-Hurr al-'Amili, p. 273)

Commentary:

This is entirely a fabricated narration because:

1. Husayn ibn Hasan al-Ashqar is considered "weak" by the majority of scholars.
   • Imam Bukhari said: "He is under scrutiny." (Al-Tarikh al-Kabir by Bukhari, 2/385)
   • He also said: "He narrates strange reports." (Al-Tarikh al-Saghir, 2/291)
   • Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said: "He was an honest person, but his narrations are strange." (Su'alaat Ibn Hani, 2358)
   • Imam Abu Zur'ah al-Razi said: "He was an unreliable narrator." (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil by Ibn Abi Hatim, 3/50)
   • Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi said: "He is not strong in hadith." (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil, 3/49)
   • Imam al-Jawzjani said: "He was an extremist among the cursers of the Companions." (Ahwal al-Rijal, 90)
   • Imam al-Daraqutni (Al-Du'afa wal-Matrukin, 195) and Imam al-Nasa'i (Al-Du'afa wal-Matrukin, 146) said: "He is not strong."
   • Hafiz Ibn Kathir said: "He was a staunch Shi'ite. Several scholars declared him weak." (Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, 6/86)
   • Hafiz al-Haythami said: "The majority of scholars have declared him weak." (Majma' al-Zawa'id, 6/82, 9/102)
   • Hafiz Ibn Hajar also called him "weak" (Fath al-Bari, 6/467).
   • Hafiz Suyuti said: "Husayn al-Ashqar is accused (of lying)." (Dhayl al-Ahadith al-Mawdu'a, 58)
2. The narrator Sulaiman ibn Mehran al-A'mash is known for his tadlis (concealment of defects in hadith chains).
3. The narrators Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Khalaf 'Attar and below are all unidentified, such as 'Ubayd ibn Musa al-Ruyani, Abu al-Hasan Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq, Abu Ya'qub Ishaq ibn Muhammad ibn 'Imran Khabbaz, Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yusuf, Abu Muhammad 'Abdul Malik ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yusuf, Abu Sa'id Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Husayn al-Nishapuri al-Khuza'i, Abu Najm Muhammad ibn 'Abdul Wahab ibn 'Isa al-Samman al-Razi.

Given all these flaws, there can be no doubt in the mind of any reasonable person that this narration is fabricated.

Note:

The narration "Law laak, maa khalaqtu al-aflaak" has been declared "fabricated" by Allama San'ani (Al-Mawdu'at, 51).

No chain of this narration has been found in any book, whether Sunni or Shi'ite. Yet, some people base their beliefs on it.

Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi, a Rafidhi Shi'ite, mentioned this narration in his book Bihar al-Anwar (15/18, 54/199) without a chain, referencing it from the book Al-Anwar by Abu al-Hasan al-Bakri. If anyone has a chain for this narration, they should present it.

We have critically analyzed six marfu' and mawquf narrations found in Sunni and Shi'ite books, proving them to be false. If anyone has any other narrated chain besides these six narrations, they should present it for scholarly examination.

The Purpose of Creation​

The universe was created for what purpose? The concise answer is for the worship of Allah, as stated in the divine command:

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."

(Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56)

It is evident that the system of the universe was created by the Creator for Himself.

The Misguided Belief of Some Sufis​

Contrary to this Quranic statement, misguided Sufis have popularized a false and fabricated narration that the creation of the universe was for the sake of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They claim that if he had not been there, the universe would not have been created. This belief contradicts the Quran, and the narrations cited in this regard are false, fabricated, and weak.

A detailed examination and impartial commentary on all the chains of narrations in the hadith literature regarding this self-made belief is presented. Readers are encouraged to carefully study this article and decide for themselves whether such narrations can be considered part of Islam and whether those who present such narrations in support of their beliefs can truly be the well-wishers of Islam and Muslims.

Analysis of the Narration: "If You Had Not Been" - Narration No. 1​

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah said:

"If it were not for you, O Muhammad, I would not have created the world."

(Tarikh Ibn Asakir, 3/518; Al-Mawdu'at by Ibn al-Jawzi, 1/288-289)

Commentary:

This is a false and fabricated narration.

Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi classified it as "mawdu" (fabricated). Hafiz Suyuti also upheld this judgment (Al-La'ali al-Masnu'a fi al-Ahadith al-Mawdu'a, 1/272).

The reasons for declaring this narration false are multiple:

1. Muhammad bin Isa bin Hayyan al-Mada'ini is considered "weak" (unreliable) by the majority of scholars of hadith.
   
   • Imam al-Daraqutni deemed him "matruk al-hadith" (abandoned in hadith) (Su'alaat al-Hakim, 171).
   • He also referred to him as "weak" (Al-'Ilal, 5/347; Sunan al-Daraqutni, 1/78).
   • Hafiz Abu Ahmad al-Hakim stated, "He narrated from his teachers what reliable narrators did not agree with him on." (Tarikh Baghdad, 2/399; its chain is authentic)
   • Hafiz al-Lalakai also called him "weak" (Tarikh Baghdad, 2/398).
   • Imam Hakim considered him "matruk" (Mizan al-I'tidal by Al-Dhahabi, 3/678).
   • Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi called him "weak" (Al-Mawdu'at, 1/289).
   • Only Imam Ibn Hibban mentioned him in his book "Thiqaat" (Trustworthy Narrators) (9/143), and Barqani called him "trustworthy" (Tarikh Baghdad, 2/398), but the majority opinion of his weakness prevails.
2. Muhammad bin Sabah, if he is the Kufan narrator, was described by Imam Abu Hatim as "not strong." (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil by Ibn Abi Hatim, 7/290)
3. Ibrahim bin Abi Hiyyah was also a very "weak" narrator.
   
   • Imam Bukhari called him "munkar al-hadith" (denier of hadith) (Al-Tarikh al-Kabir, 1/283).
   • Imam al-Daraqutni included him in his book of weak and abandoned narrators (Kitab al-Du'afa wal-Matrukin, 17) and called him "matruk" (abandoned) (Mizan al-I'tidal by Al-Dhahabi, 1/79).
   • Imam al-Nasa'i called him "weak" (Al-Kamil fi Du'afa al-Rijal by Ibn 'Adi, 1/238; its chain is authentic).
   • Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi said he was "munkar al-hadith" (denier of hadith) (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil by Ibn Abi Hatim, 2/149, No. 491).
   • Imam Ali ibn al-Madini said: "He was nothing." (Lisan al-Mizan by Ibn Hajar, 1/52)
   • Imam Ibn Hibban said: "He narrates strange and fabricated reports from Ja'far ibn Muhammad and Hisham, which suggest deliberate forgery." (Kitab al-Majrooheen by Ibn Hibban, 1/103-104)
   • Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi also called him "weak" (Al-Mawdu'at, 1/289).
   • However, Imam Yahya ibn Sa'id called him "Shaykh Thiqa Kabir" (A great trustworthy sheikh) (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil, 2/149), but this statement is not considered reliable against the majority opinion.
4. Khalil bin Murrah is also considered "weak" by the majority of scholars.
   
   • Imam Bukhari referred to him as "munkar al-hadith" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3474, 2666).
   • He also said: "He is under scrutiny." (Al-Tarikh al-Kabir, 3/199)
   • Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi considered him unreliable in hadith (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil by Ibn Abi Hatim, 3/379).
   • Imam al-Nasa'i also called him "weak" (Al-Du'afa wal-Matrukin, 178).
   • Imam Yahya ibn Ma'in also said "weak." (Al-Majrooheen by Ibn Hibban, 1/286; its chain is authentic)
   • Imam Ibn Hibban said: "He narrates strange reports from famous narrators and mostly narrates from unknown narrators." (Al-Majrooheen by Ibn Hibban, 1/286)
   • Hafiz Ibn Hajar and Hafiz al-Dhahabi also classified him as "weak." Thus, the majority's criticism outweighs any individual endorsement.
5. If the narrator Yahya refers to Yahya ibn Abi Salih Saman, he is unknown (Taqrib al-Tahdhib, 7569). Only Imam Ibn Hibban classified him as trustworthy.
   
   • Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi said about him: "An unknown sheikh, I do not know him." (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil, 9/158)
   • If it refers to Yahya ibn Abi Hiyyah Abu Janab al-Kalbi, then he is "weak" and a practitioner of "Tadlis al-Taswiyyah".
   • Allama Zayla'i al-Hanafi wrote: "Most people consider al-Kalbi weak." (Nasb al-Raya by al-Zayla'i, 2/23)
   • Hafiz al-Iraqi said: "The majority of scholars have declared him weak." (Takhrij Ahadith al-Ihya, 3708)
   • Thus, this chain is invalid due to five reasons. Only people of falsehood can rely on it.

Analysis of the Narration: "If You Had Not Been" - Narration No. 2​

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"Gabriel came to me and said: 'O Muhammad! If it were not for you, I would not have created Paradise, and if it were not for you, I would not have created Hell.'"

(Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Da'eefa by Al-Albani, 1/450)

Commentary:

This is a fabricated narration because:

1. The circumstances of 'Ubaydullah ibn Musa al-Qurashi are unknown.
2. There is no verification or detail about Fudayl ibn Ja'far ibn Sulayman.
3. 'Abd al-Samad ibn Ali ibn Abdullah also lacks verification.
   
   • Imam 'Aqili said about him: "His hadith is not preserved and is known only through him." (Al-Du'afa al-Kabir by al-'Aqili, 3/84)
   • It appears that this narration is the work of one of these three.

Analysis of the Narration: "If You Had Not Been" - Narration No. 3​

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that:

"Allah revealed to Jesus (peace be upon him): 'O Jesus! Believe in Muhammad and command those of your Ummah who meet him to believe in him. If Muhammad had not been, I would not have created Adam. If Muhammad had not been, I would not have created Paradise and Hell. I created the Throne on water, and it trembled. Then I wrote on it: There is no deity except Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. It then became still.'"
(Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahihayn by al-Hakim, 2/514-515, Hadith: 4227)

Commentary:

This is a fabricated story attributed to Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) because:

1. The narrator 'Amr ibn Aws al-Ansari is an unknown and unidentified narrator.
   
   • Hafiz al-Dhahabi said about him: "His state is unknown; he brought a strange report, which al-Hakim included in his Mustadrak. I believe it is fabricated." (Mizan al-I'tidal, 3/5246, No. 6330)
   • Hafiz Suyuti said: "Al-Dhahabi said: In its chain is 'Amr ibn Aws, unknown who he is." (Al-Khasa'is al-Kubra, 1/14)
2. Sa'id ibn Abi 'Arubah is a "mudallis" (concealer of defects in hadith chains) and "mukhtalit" (one who mixed up narrations).
3. Qatadah ibn Di'amah is also a "mudallis" and did not specify hearing.
   
   Therefore, the authentication of this chain by Imam Hakim is not reliable.
   
   Hafiz al-Dhahabi refuted Imam Hakim's statement, writing: "I think it is fabricated upon Sa'id." (Talkhis al-Mustadrak by al-Dhahabi, 2/415)
   
   In Lisan al-Mizan, Hafiz Ibn Hajar upheld the same judgment.

In addition to being unfounded, this statement also contradicts the established religious texts.

Note:

In Tabaqat al-Muhaddithin bi Isbahan by Abu al-Sheikh, the follow-up of the unknown 'Amr ibn Aws al-Ansari was narrated by Sa'id ibn Aws al-Ansari, but its chain contains the missing narrator Muhammad ibn 'Umar al-Muharibi, making this follow-up invalid.

Analysis of the Narration: "If You Had Not Been" - Narration No. 4​

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

"When Allah created Adam and breathed into him from His Spirit, Adam sneezed and said: 'All praise is due to Allah.' Allah said: 'My servant has praised Me. By My might and majesty, if it were not for two servants whom I intend to create in the world, I would not have created you.' He said: 'O my God, will they be from me?' He said: 'Yes, O Adam! Raise your head and look.' So, Adam raised his head and saw written on the Throne: There is no deity except Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the Prophet of Mercy."

(Al-Manaqib by Al-Muwaffaq al-Khwarizmi, p. 318; Al-Jawahir al-Saniyya fi al-Ahadith al-Qudsiyya by al-Hurr al-'Amili, p. 292-293)

Commentary:

This is a fabricated narration because:

1. Al-Muwaffaq was a Rafidhi (Shi'ite). There is no evidence of his reliability.
2. Although Abu Muhammad Harun ibn Musa al-Tal'akbari is affirmed in Shi'ite books, there is no confirmation of him in Sunni books. On the contrary, Hafiz al-Dhahabi said about him: "Narrator of strange reports, Rafidhi." (Mizan al-I'tidal, 4/287, No. 9174)
3. Fihyan 'Attar Abu Nasr has no known record.
4. Rabi' ibn Jarrah is also unidentified.
5. The tadlis (concealment of defects in hadith chains) of Sulaiman ibn Mehran al-A'mash is present.
6. The identification and verification of 'Abdul Aziz ibn Abdullah is required.
7. The identification and verification of Ja'far ibn Muhammad is required.
8. The identification and verification of 'Abdul Karim is required.
9. Ibn Shadhan is praised in Shi'ite books, but there is no such mention in Sunni books. On the contrary, Hafiz al-Dhahabi said about one of his narrations: "It is a lie." (Mizan al-I'tidal, 3/466)
   
   Hafiz al-Dhahabi also said: "Indeed, Khwarazmi took a lot of false and silly reports from this impostor Ibn Shadhan in the virtues of Sayyid Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)." (Mizan al-I'tidal, 3/467)

There are many other issues with this narration.

Analysis of the Narration: "If You Had Not Been" - Narration No. 5​

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

"When Allah created Adam and breathed into him the soul, Adam sneezed, and he was inspired to say: 'All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.' Then Allah revealed to him: 'O Adam! You have praised Me. By My might and majesty, if it were not for two servants whom I intend to create at the end of the world, I would not have created you.'"

(Bisharat al-Mustafa by Muhammad al-Tabari al-Rafidhi, p. 116-117; Al-Jawahir al-Saniyya fi al-Ahadith al-Qudsiyya by al-Hurr al-'Amili, p. 273)

Commentary:

This is entirely a fabricated narration because:

1. Husayn ibn Hasan al-Ashqar is considered "weak" by the majority of scholars.
   
   • Imam Bukhari said: "He is under scrutiny." (Al-Tarikh al-Kabir by Bukhari, 2/385)
   • He also said: "He narrates strange reports." (Al-Tarikh al-Saghir, 2/291)
   • Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said: "He was an honest person, but his narrations are strange." (Su'alaat Ibn Hani, 2358)
   • Imam Abu Zur'ah al-Razi said: "He was an unreliable narrator." (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil by Ibn Abi Hatim, 3/50)
   • Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi said: "He is not strong in hadith." (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil, 3/49)
   • Imam al-Jawzjani said: "He was an extremist among the cursers of the Companions." (Ahwal al-Rijal, 90)
   • Imam al-Daraqutni (Al-Du'afa wal-Matrukin, 195) and Imam al-Nasa'i (Al-Du'afa wal-Matrukin, 146) said: "He is not strong."
   • Hafiz Ibn Kathir said: "He was a staunch Shi'ite. Several scholars declared him weak." (Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, 6/86)
   • Hafiz al-Haythami said: "The majority of scholars have declared him weak." (Majma' al-Zawa'id, 6/82, 9/102)
   • Hafiz Ibn Hajar also called him "weak" (Fath al-Bari, 6/467).
   • Hafiz Suyuti said: "Husayn al-Ashqar is accused (of lying)." (Dhayl al-Ahadith al-Mawdu'a, 58)
2. The narrator Sulaiman ibn Mehran al-A'mash is known for his tadlis (concealment of defects in hadith chains).
3. The narrators Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Khalaf 'Attar and below are all unidentified, such as 'Ubayd ibn Musa al-Ruyani, Abu al-Hasan Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq, Abu Ya'qub Ishaq ibn Muhammad ibn 'Imran Khabbaz, Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yusuf, Abu Muhammad 'Abdul Malik ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yusuf, Abu Sa'id Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Husayn al-Nishapuri al-Khuza'i, Abu Najm Muhammad ibn 'Abdul Wahab ibn 'Isa al-Samman al-Razi.

Given all these flaws, there can be no doubt in the mind of any reasonable person that this narration is fabricated.

Note:

The narration "Law laak, maa khalaqtu al-aflaak" has been declared "fabricated" by Allama San'ani (Al-Mawdu'at, 51).

No chain of this narration has been found in any book, whether Sunni or Shi'ite. Yet, some people base their beliefs on it.

Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi, a Rafidhi Shi'ite, mentioned this narration in his book Bihar al-Anwar (15/18, 54/199) without a chain, referencing it from the book Al-Anwar by Abu al-Hasan al-Bakri. If anyone has a chain for this narration, they should present it.

We have critically analyzed six marfu' and mawquf narrations found in Sunni and Shi'ite books, proving them to be false. If anyone has any other narrated chain besides these six narrations, they should present it for scholarly examination.