Question :
How authentic is the Hadith narrated on the authority of Um Salamah in which she asked the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) about the meaning of verse 37, chapter Al-Waqi`ah: " Beloved (by nature), equal in age,-" ? In this Hadith, the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: " Women who died while decrepit, bleary eyed and elderly in the world……….etce."
The Answer :
All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
The above Hadith was reported by Tabarani in {Al-Mo`jam Al-Kabeer, V.23:367}. Al-Haithami said in {Majma` Al-Zawa`ed, V.7:119}, "Suleiman Bin Abi Kuraimah is amongst the transmitters of this Hadith while Abu Hatim and Odai considered it Da`if (Unreliable)."
However, Al-Tirmithi narrated part of this Hadith in his book {Sunnan al-Tirmith, No. 2564}. 'Ali narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Indeed in Paradise there is a gathering for Al-Hur Al-'Ein wherein they raise their voices. The creatures have not heard the likes of them." [He said:] "They say: 'We are the eternal ones, we shall not die. We are the ones who live in joy and comfort, we have no needs. We are the pleased ones, we do not get angry. Tuba(good news) to the one who belongs to us and we to him." Al-Tirmithi said that this Hadith is Da`if.
In conclusion, the Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah are replete with texts describing Al-Hur Al-'Ein. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
