What is the stance of scholars on a Hadith with a weak chain of transmission, but whose text encourages a virtue or a supplication?
Scholars have differed on the permissibility of acting upon weak hadiths in matters of virtuous deeds (Fada'il al-A'mal). Some have permitted it under certain conditions summarized by Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar: that the weakness not be severe, that it falls under a well-established principle, and that one not believe in its definitive authenticity but rather act out of caution. The meaning of acting upon it is to narrate it for the purpose of encouraging an act of worship whose desirability is established by authentic evidence.
On the other hand, others have absolutely forbidden acting upon it, such as Abu Bakr Ibn Al-Arabi, and this is the chosen view of Al-Allamah Al-Albani. Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah holds that it is not permissible to rely on weak hadiths in matters of , but it is permissible to narrate what is not known to be fabricated concerning virtuous deeds if the act itself is known to be legislated by other evidence. What is authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, suffices and makes acting upon weak hadiths unnecessary.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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