Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training – Hey, teens! The month of Rajab is here, and you’ll see many Muslims eagerly reciting a famous supplication that goes like this: “Allahumma bariklana fi Rajaba wa Sha’bana wa ballighna Ramadhana.” However, some people are skeptical because there are rumors that the chain of narration for this hadith is unclear, some say it’s weak, not authentic, and so on. So, what’s the real opinion of the scholars about this Rajab supplication? Let’s delve into the analysis of its chain of narration as presented in the Musnad of Ahmad!
We all know this supplication has become extremely popular among Muslims, but some doubt its authenticity. Well, it turns out that Imam Ahmad, in his Musnad Ahmad, shares the complete wording of the hadith for this Rajab supplication. Isn’t that amazing? So, it’s not just hearsay or gossip; there’s a solid reference for it, guys!
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ، عَنْ زَائِدَةَ بْنِ أَبِي الرُّقَادِ، عَنْ زِيَادٍ النُّمَيْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا دَخَلَ رَجَبٌ قَالَ: اَللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي رَجَبٍ وَشَعْبَانَ وَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِي رَمَضَانَ. وَكَانَ يَقُولُ: لَيْلَةُ الْجُمُعَةِ غَرَّاءُ وَيَوْمُهَا أَزْهَرُ
Meaning: “Abdullah narrated to us: ‘Ubaidillah bin Umar narrated to us, from Zaida bin Abir Ruqad, from Ziyad An-Numairi, from Anas bin Malik, he said: “When the month of Rajab began, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would often say: ‘O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Sha’ban, and let us reach Ramadan.’ He would also say: ‘The night of Friday is beautiful and its day is bright.’” (HR Ahmad).
Hey gang, here’s some additional info about this famous Rajab supplication! Besides being mentioned by Imam Ahmad, it’s also found in other notable books like Mu’jamul Ausath, Musnad Al-Bazzar, Sunan Al-Baihaqi, Tarikh Ibn Asakir, and Hilyah Abu Naim. There are many sources, right? But, it suddenly became a hot topic because there are differing opinions about the authenticity of the supplication’s hadith. Some say it’s weak, while others still believe in its validity. The issue centers on two narrators who are controversial: Zaida bin Abi Ruqad and Ziyad An-Numairi. They are at the heart of this drama!
So, here’s the story: many renowned scholars, like Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, Abu Hatim, and Abu Dawud, labeled Ziyad An-Numairi as weak in hadith narration. As a result, some people frown upon the status of the chain of narration for this Rajab supplication hadith. But there are also calm figures like Ibn ‘Adi who remain unbothered. He said, what matters is that the one reporting the hadith is trustworthy. So, as long as the person delivering the news is reliable,
Despite the drama over the hadith’s status, what’s important is our sincere intention when supplicating. No need to become hadith detectives, just keep the spirit of worship high in this month of Rajab. May all your prayers be granted! ?✨
The same goes for Zaida bin Abi Ruqad. Although considered weak by some hadith scholars, as mentioned by Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani in Taqribut Tahdzib, there are also scholars who view him more leniently. Al-Qawariri, for instance, said, “He is a narrator with no issues. I have recorded all hadiths from him.” A similar view is held by Al-Bazzar, who did not see him as problematic (Al-Asqalani, Taqribut Tahdzib, Vol. I, p. 213; and Al-Asqalani, Tahdzibut Tahdzib, Vol. III, p. 263). However, an interesting perspective comes from Al-Haitsami when discussing a hadith about angels seeking gatherings of dhikr narrated by Al-Bazzar through Zaida bin Abi Ruqad and Ziyad An-Numairi.
Wow, this Zaida bin Abi Ruqad certainly sparks interesting discussions among hadith scholars. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani seemed to find Zaida lacking, calling him “weak” in Taqribut Tahdzib. But don’t be surprised, because the world is vast, and some scholars stand by Zaida.
For example, Al-Qawariri said, “He is a narrator with no issues. I have recorded all hadiths from him.” Similarly, Al-Bazzar did not see him as problematic. (Al-Asqalani, Taqribut Tahdzib, Vol. I, p. 213; and Al-Asqalani, Tahdzibut Tahdzib, Vol. III, p. 263).
Al-Haitsami has a perspective that makes your head spin. When he was analyzing the hadith about angels seeking gatherings of dhikr narrated through Zaida bin Abi Ruqad and Ziyad An-Numairi recorded by Al-Bazzar, he showed remarkable intelligence. He said:
رواه البزار من طريق زائدة بن أبي الرقاد عن زياد النميري وكلاهما وثق على ضعفه فعاد هذا إسناده حسن
Meaning: “This hadith is narrated by Al-Bazzar through the chain of Zaida bin Abi Ruqad and Ziyad An-Numairi. Both are considered trustworthy (thiqah) despite their weakness. Therefore, this chain of narration becomes hasan (good).” (Nurruddin bin Abi Bakar Al-Haitsami, Majma’uz Zawaid wa Manba’ul Fawaid, [Beirut, Darul Fikr: 1412 H], Vol. X, p. 77).
Al-Haitsami truly respects these two narrators, especially when discussing the hadith of the supplication for the month of Sha’ban. He seemed to throw praise, saying:
رواه البزار والطبراني في الأوسط وفيه زائدة بن أبي الرقاد وفيه كلام وقد وثق
Meaning: “This hadith of the supplication for the month of Sha’ban is narrated by Al-Bazzar and At-Tabarani in Al-Ausath. In its chain, there is Zaida bin Abi Ruqad. His credibility is debated. He is considered trustworthy in narrating hadith.” (Al-Haitsami, Majma’uz Zawaid, Vol. III, p. 340).
From this discussion, it’s clear that Zaida bin Abi Ruqad and Ziyad An-Numairi, the narrators of the hadith for the Rajab supplication, are under scrutiny regarding their credibility. Although many doubt, Nurrudin Al-Haitsami’s opinion shows that their credibility is not something to be overly concerned about. Despite being considered weak, Al-Haitsami still trusted them in narrating hadith, ultimately raising the chain of narration’s status to hasan. Allah knows best.
Source:
- https://islam.nu.or.id/ilmu-hadits/hadits-doa-bulan-rajab-lengkap-dengan-analisis-sanad-dan-matan-Gm4fU
- https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-flat-design-salat-illustration_22870095.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=16&uuid=23450717-f2ed-4716-b76f-461e9bb791c7
