To what extent is the story true regarding the Alawite woman and her orphaned daughters mentioned in Al-Dhahabi's book "Al-Kaba'ir"?
First: Imam Al-Dhahabi's book "Kitab Al-Kaba'ir" (Book of Major Sins) has two editions: The first is widespread and full of weak hadiths and flimsy stories, and its attribution to Al-Dhahabi is doubtful. The second is the authentic one, verified by Muhyi al-Din Mistu and Mashhoor Hasan Salman, which is free from weak hadiths and does not include the aforementioned story.
Second: The story attributed to "Kitab Al-Kaba'ir" appeared in the widespread, doubtful edition. It tells of an Alawite woman and her orphaned daughters whom a Muslim sheikh refused to help because there was no proof of her honor. So, a Zoroastrian hosted them. The Muslim sheikh saw in his dream a reproach from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, while the Zoroastrian and his family embraced Islam and saw that a palace in Paradise was theirs because of their kindness.
Third: This story has no chain of transmission (isnad) whatsoever. Ibn Qudamah mentioned it in "Al-Tawwabin" (The Repentant Ones) and attributed it to Ibn Al-Jawzi's "Al-Multaqat," who in turn mentioned it in "Al-Birr wal-Silah" (Kindness and Maintaining Kinship Ties) without an isnad. The story is among the tales of narrators and preachers, lacking an authentic isnad, and displays exaggeration and narrative storytelling.
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- 4132
- Imported
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