Question:
Assalamualaikum wrm.wbt.,
What is the status of this hadith?
It is claimed to be from the Prophet PBUH:
“A stern voice will be heard in the middle of Ramadan on a Friday night. The horrible voice will surprise and wake the people who are sleeping and those who are standing will fall.”
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wrm. wbt.,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
In the honoured month of Ramadhan, there are special advantages and benefits that Allah SWT has prepared for His slaves of which the offer is not available in any other months. Hence, we would hear various hadiths narrated regarding the benefits of the month of Ramadhan.
According to the above question, the hadith or narration has different wordings. This narration can be found in the book al-Fitan by Nu’aim bin Hammad, Kanz al-‘Ummul by al-Muntaqa al-Hindi, al-Mu’jam al-Kabir by Imam al-Thabarani and in Mustadrak by Imam al-Hakim. Thus, here we include some matn (text) of the hadith regarding a voice in this month of Ramadhan:
يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ صَوْتٌ، وَفِي شَوَّالٍ مَهْمَهَةٌ
“When a voice is heard in Ramadhan, then there will be chaos in Syawal.” (See al-Fitan oleh Nu’aim bin Hammad, 226/1)
It is claimed the Prophet PBUH said:
يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ صَوْتٌ، قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فِي أَوَّلِهِ أَو فِي وَسَطِهِ أَو فِي آخِرِهِ؟ قَالَ: لَا، بَلْ فِي النِّصْفِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ، إِذَا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ النِّصْفِ لَيْلَةَ الْجُمُعَةِ يَكُونُ صَوْتٌ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ
“A voice will be heard in Ramadhan.” They asked: “O Messenger of Allah PBUH will it be hear in the beginning, middle or the end of Ramadhan?” The Prophet PBUH answered: “No, it will only happen in the middle of Ramadhan when that night falls on a Friday, then a voice from the heavens will be heard.” (See al-Mu’jam al-Kabir, 332/18) [Imam al-Haithami in Majma’ al-Zawaid, 310/7 evaluated one of the narrators in this narration which is Abd al-Wahab bin al-Shahhak as a matruk (is narrations are left)]
The Status of the Hadith
Among the scholar who commented on this hadith are:
- Imam al-Uqailiy the hadith is not from thiqah narrators nor is it from trusted sources. Among its naarrators is Abd al-Wahid bin Sulaim and he is a majhul narrator where his hadiths are not properly memorized and his narrations cannot be used as a support (to other narration). (See al-Dhu’afa’ al-Kabir, 208/5)
- Al-Hakim said the matan of this hadith is odd and there is a narrator named Maslamah whose narrations cannot be made as an argument. (See al-Mustadrak, 563/4)
- Imam Ibn al-Jauzi said this is a fake hadith (See al-Mawdhu’at, 190/3)
- Imam Ibn al-Qayyim included the hadith in the chapter of unauthentic hadiths explaining the future. (See al-Manar al-Munif, 91)
As for narrations from Nu’aim bin Hammad, here we cite the opinion of Imam al-Zahabi on him according to the book al-Fitan:
لاَ يَجُوْزُ لأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَحْتَجَّ بِهِ، وَقَدْ صَنَّفَ كِتَابَ (الفِتَنِ)، فَأَتَى فِيْهِ بِعَجَائِبَ وَمَنَاكِيْرَ
“It is impermissible for anyone to make an argument from it, he has arranged the book al-Fitan stating its oddities and falsehood.”
(See Siyar ‘alam al-Nubala’, 117/20)
Considering the above opinions of scholars, thus, we are inclined to state that the hadith mentioning about a voice in the month of Ramadhan is unauthentic (fake) and we should never say it is from the Prophet PBUH nor should we spread or convey it to others unless to state its falsehood.
Conclusion
To conclude, this hadith is categorized as dhaif jiddan (very weak). Syawahid that supports it is also included in the same category and thus, could not strengthen the sanad of this hadith. Hence, hadiths such as these could not be made as an argument or even a basis in discussing matters of the unseen. The reason is matters that will happen in the future is included as matters of the unseen (ghabiyyat) and is unknown except what is stated through sahih evidences. Thus, we advise against spreading such as hadith in our society except when explaining its falsehood and only by people who has deep understanding and knowledge on the matter. Lastly, may Allah SWT protect us from conveying and spreading unauthentic hadiths. Amin.
Wallahua’lam.