Question:
Regarding the hadith narrated by al-Hakim in the Mustadrak narrates the following (sahih):
On the authority of Luqayt ibn `Amir, that the latter went in a delegation comprising Nuhayk ibn `Asim ibn Malik ibn al-Muntafiq to Madina to see
the Prophet. The latter asked: “Is there any good among those of us who were in *Jahiliyya*?” He said: “You father al-Muntafiq is in the Fire.” Nuhayk said: “I thought an abyss had opened between the skin of my face and my very flesh when I heard him say that about my father in front of everyone. I wanted to say: What about yours, O Prophet, but I considered it more appropriate to say instead: What about your family, O Prophet?” The Prophet (s) answered: “Whenever you see the grave of an idolater, whether of the Quraysh or of `Amir, say: Muhammad sends me to you to tell you about the fire.”
Regarding this hadith: was this based on the Prophet’s (s) specific knowledge about Nuhayk’s father? Otherwise it would seem to contradict the explanation that Ahl al-Fitrah would be given a choice on Yawm al-Qiyamah? Or did his father die after seeing the Prophet (s)?
Answer:
That’s Naheek b. `Asim. The hadith is weak, its chain contains many weak links. Ibn al-Qayyim in Hadital-Arwah tries to pass it as highly authentic but it was declared “extremely odd-chained” by Ibn Kathir and Ibn Hajar. There are five verses in the Qur’an stating that people will not be punished until a messenger is sent to them and they reject him.
Nevertheless, it is possible that the Prophet (upon him blessings and
peace) was disclosing special knowledge about that particular person,
and Allah knows best.
Hajj Gibril Haddad
