The Hadith “Allah Created Me in the Best of Groups” – Authentication and Chain Review
Compiled by: Abu Abdul Aziz Muhammad Yusuf Madani
✦ Introduction
In the chapter of the virtues of the Prophet ﷺ, many narrations are found — some authentic, some weak. At times, weak narrations become widespread among the public and are quoted without proper verification. One such narration is:
“Allah created me in the best of groups…”
The aim of this article is to present a scholarly review of this narration and clarify its true status.
✦ Text of the Narration
It is attributed to Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah created the creation and placed me in the best of groups. Then from among those groups He placed me in the better of the two. Then He chose the tribes and placed me in the best tribe. Then He chose the households and placed me in the best household. Therefore, I am the best in person and the best in household.”
References: Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi (2/201, Hadith 3607), Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtoom (p. 30)✦ Research and Analysis
This narration is weak (da‘eef).✧ In reality, Imam Tirmidhi narrated it from Al-‘Abbas bin ‘Abd al-Muttalib, not from Ibn Abbas.
✧ Imam Tirmidhi graded it Hasan. However, in its chain is Yazid ibn Abi Ziyad, a weak narrator.
Opinions of the Hadith Scholars
• Imam Ahmad narrated it in Musnad Ahmad (1788).
• Shaykh Shu‘ayb Arna’oot graded it Hasan li-ghayrihi.
• Shaykh Al-Albani initially authenticated it in Sahih al-Jami‘ (1472), but later retracted and graded it Da‘eef in Da‘eef al-Tirmidhi and As-Silsilah ad-Da‘eefah (3073).
• Hafiz Ibn Hajar said regarding Yazid ibn Abi Ziyad:
“Weak, he grew old and his memory changed, and he began to accept prompting.”
✦ Chain Irregularities (Idtirab)
Yazid narrated this hadith through different isnads:
① From ‘Abdullah ibn al-Harith → ‘Abd al-Muttalib ibn Abi Wada‘ah.
② From ‘Abdullah ibn al-Harith → Al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib.
③ From ‘Abdullah ibn al-Harith ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib → Rabi‘ah.
This irregularity, combined with his weakness, makes the narration unreliable.
✦ Additional Notes
• In Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtoom, some wording changes appear, such as the omission of “min khayrihim” or the use of “al-qabeelah” in the definite form.
• The original narrator is Al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, but in some books the attribution mistakenly appears as Ibn Abbas.
✦ Conclusion
① The original source is Al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, not Ibn Abbas.
② Due to the presence of Yazid ibn Abi Ziyad in the chain and the idtirab, the narration is weak.
③ Scholars of Hadith (Al-Albani, Ibn Hajar, etc.) judged it unauthentic.
④ The general meaning of the Prophet ﷺ being the best of mankind and of noble lineage is supported by other authentic narrations, but this specific narration cannot be relied upon.
Therefore, it is not permissible to attribute this narration to the Prophet ﷺ without clarification.