Original article authored by Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri (Hafizahullah), enhanced with headings and additional structuring for easier reading.
Various narrations regarding “Abdal” (spiritual substitutes) have been recorded throughout Islamic history. However, according to the research of reliable scholars and Hadith experts, most of these narrations are weak, disconnected, or fabricated. Below is a summary of the opinions of prominent Hadith scholars on these narrations.
Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi (508–597 AH) stated in his book al-Mawdu‘at (The Fabricated Narrations):
“None of the Hadiths concerning Abdal are authentic.”
(al-Mawdu‘at, Vol. 3, p. 152)
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (611–728 AH) also classified narrations about Abdal as weak:
“There is a weak Hadith on this matter, and it is not from the words of the Prophet ﷺ.”
(Majmu‘ al-Fatawa, Vol. 4, p. 394)
Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim (691–751 AH) deemed all narrations attributed to Abdal, Aqtab, and Aghwath to be fabricated:
“All Hadiths regarding Abdal, Aqtab, and similar concepts are fabricated.”
(al-Manar al-Munif, p. 136)
① Narration of Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما)
Claims that there will always be 500 righteous and 40 Abdal in the Ummah.
→ Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi labeled this narration fabricated due to multiple unknown narrators.
(al-Mawdu‘at, Vol. 3, p. 151)
② Narration of ‘Ubada ibn al-Samit (رضي الله عنه)
Mentions 30 Abdal in the Ummah.
→ Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal considered this narration denounced (munkar).
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, p. 322)
③ Narration of ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه)
States that Abdal reside in Syria.
→ Hafiz Ibn ‘Asakir declared it disconnected, as there is no proven link between Shurayh ibn ‘Ubayd and ‘Ali.
(Tarikh Ibn ‘Asakir, Vol. 1, p. 289)
④ Narration of Anas (رضي الله عنه)
Mentions 40 men and women among the Abdal.
→ Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi labeled it fabricated due to unreliable narrators.
(al-Mawdu‘at, Vol. 3, p. 125)
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and other scholars have made it clear that no authentic Hadith from the Prophet ﷺ exists regarding Abdal, Aqtab, or Nujaba. These are later Sufi constructs without basis in early Islam.
“No Sahih Hadith from the Prophet ﷺ exists regarding Abdal, Nuqaba, Nujaba, or Aqtab.”
(al-Furqan bayna Awliya’ al-Rahman wa Awliya’ al-Shaytan, p. 101)
Ibn Taymiyyah explained that scholars have various interpretations of “Abdal.” One view is that Abdal are those who replace bad traits and deeds with good ones. However, these qualities are not restricted to any specific number or region.
“These traits are not confined to forty or any other fixed number.”
(Majmu‘ al-Fatawa, Vol. 11, p. 442)
According to the thorough investigations of Hadith scholars, the narrations about Abdal are weak or fabricated. Thus, relying on them is incorrect in light of authentic beliefs and Hadith sciences.
❖ Abdal in Islamic Historical Narrations
Various narrations regarding “Abdal” (spiritual substitutes) have been recorded throughout Islamic history. However, according to the research of reliable scholars and Hadith experts, most of these narrations are weak, disconnected, or fabricated. Below is a summary of the opinions of prominent Hadith scholars on these narrations.
❖ View of Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi (رحمه الله)
Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi (508–597 AH) stated in his book al-Mawdu‘at (The Fabricated Narrations):
“None of the Hadiths concerning Abdal are authentic.”
(al-Mawdu‘at, Vol. 3, p. 152)
❖ View of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله)
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (611–728 AH) also classified narrations about Abdal as weak:
“There is a weak Hadith on this matter, and it is not from the words of the Prophet ﷺ.”
(Majmu‘ al-Fatawa, Vol. 4, p. 394)
❖ View of Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله)
Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim (691–751 AH) deemed all narrations attributed to Abdal, Aqtab, and Aghwath to be fabricated:
“All Hadiths regarding Abdal, Aqtab, and similar concepts are fabricated.”
(al-Manar al-Munif, p. 136)
❖ Analysis of Popular Abdal Narrations
① Narration of Ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما)
Claims that there will always be 500 righteous and 40 Abdal in the Ummah.
→ Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi labeled this narration fabricated due to multiple unknown narrators.
(al-Mawdu‘at, Vol. 3, p. 151)
② Narration of ‘Ubada ibn al-Samit (رضي الله عنه)
Mentions 30 Abdal in the Ummah.
→ Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal considered this narration denounced (munkar).
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 5, p. 322)
③ Narration of ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه)
States that Abdal reside in Syria.
→ Hafiz Ibn ‘Asakir declared it disconnected, as there is no proven link between Shurayh ibn ‘Ubayd and ‘Ali.
(Tarikh Ibn ‘Asakir, Vol. 1, p. 289)
④ Narration of Anas (رضي الله عنه)
Mentions 40 men and women among the Abdal.
→ Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi labeled it fabricated due to unreliable narrators.
(al-Mawdu‘at, Vol. 3, p. 125)
❖ Consensus of Hadith Scholars on Abdal
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and other scholars have made it clear that no authentic Hadith from the Prophet ﷺ exists regarding Abdal, Aqtab, or Nujaba. These are later Sufi constructs without basis in early Islam.
“No Sahih Hadith from the Prophet ﷺ exists regarding Abdal, Nuqaba, Nujaba, or Aqtab.”
(al-Furqan bayna Awliya’ al-Rahman wa Awliya’ al-Shaytan, p. 101)
❖ The True Meaning of Abdal
Ibn Taymiyyah explained that scholars have various interpretations of “Abdal.” One view is that Abdal are those who replace bad traits and deeds with good ones. However, these qualities are not restricted to any specific number or region.
“These traits are not confined to forty or any other fixed number.”
(Majmu‘ al-Fatawa, Vol. 11, p. 442)
❖ Conclusion
According to the thorough investigations of Hadith scholars, the narrations about Abdal are weak or fabricated. Thus, relying on them is incorrect in light of authentic beliefs and Hadith sciences.
