How sound is the hadith narrated by Ibn Asakir in Tarikh Dimashq concerning the transfer of the Caliphate, and what is its explanation?
The aforementioned Hadith is weak and not authentic. It was narrated by Nu'aym ibn Hammad in "Al-Fitan" and by Ibn Asakir in "Tarikh Dimashq" through the chain of Al-Walid ibn Muslim, from Marwan ibn Janah, from Yunus ibn Maysarah ibn Halbas, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "This matter will be after me in Medina, then in Sham (Greater Syria), then in Al-Jazirah, then in Iraq, then in Medina, then in Jerusalem. When it is in Jerusalem, then that is the core of its abode. And no people will expel it and it will ever return to them." The reason for its weakness is Irsal (missing link in the chain of narration), as Yunus ibn Maysarah is a Tabi'i (follower, who met companions but not the Prophet), and a Mursal narration is weak due to its discontinuity. The explanation of the Hadith is that "this matter" refers to the Caliphate, and "the core of its abode" means its origin and the place of security for it.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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