Fabricated Hadith? - "The ink of an ‘Aalim is more sacred than the blood of a martyr"

Question:

According to some information, the following Hadith was considered as a fabricated Hadith. Is that true?

"The ink of an ‘Aalim is more sacred than the blood of a martyr"

Answer:

This is a Hadith whose authenticity is contested. However, there are several Hadith which give the same meaning that have been narrated by different Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu anhum) such as Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radiyallahu Anhuma), Hazrat ‘Imraan bin Hussain (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Abou Dardah (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Anas (Radiyallahu Anhu) and Hazrat Nou’maan Ibn Bashir (Radiyallahu Anhu). When we look at the content of these Hadith, we find something common in all. It is the value of an ‘Aalim-e-Deen. According to Al Khateeb, Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radiyallahu Anhuma) has narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said:

"The ink of the ‘Ulama was weighed against the blood of the Shaheed (martyr), so, it (the ink) weighted heavier." (Al Khateeb/Ibn-un-Najjaar)

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhu) has narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said:

“On the day of Qiyaamah, the blood of the Shaheed will be weighed against the ink of the ‘Ulama, then the ink of the ‘Ulama will weigh heavier than the blood of the Shaheed.” (Ibnun- Najjaar)

Hazrat Anas (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Imran Bin Houssein (Radiyallahu Anhu), Hazrat Abu Darda (Radiyallahu Anhu) and Hazrat Nou'maan Bin Basheer (Radiyallahu Anhu) have all narrated the same thing that Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhuma) and Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radiyallahu Anhuma) narrated.

These Hadith were selected from Kanzul-‘Ummaal. Hafiz Ibn Abdul Barr (Rahmatullahi Alaiyh) also has mentioned this in his Jami’ul-Bayaan Fil-'Ilm. Imaam AI Ghazali (Rahmatullahi Alaiyh) has also mentioned this Hadith in his Ihyaa-ul-Ulum. Al-Hafiz Al-Iraqi has classified the Hadith narrated by Hazrat Abu Darda (Radiyallahu Anhu) regarding this subject as “Dha'if” (weak). None of these ‘Ulama have classified this Hadith as "Mawdu" (fabricated).

This proves that according to these ‘Ulama, the Hadith in question may be weak but not "Mawdu" (fabricated). It is very likely that the ‘Ulama who classified it as "Mawdu", may have classified it as such due to a certain particular source. However, in general, it is narrated by weak Sanad and sources.

There is a Hadith narrated in Ibn Majah by Hazrat ‘Usmaan (Radiyallahu Anhu) that says that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said:

"On the day of Qiyaamah there are three categories of people who will do “Shafaa'at”: The Prophets, then the ‘Ulama and then the “Shuhada” (martyr)."

This Hadith also somehow supports the thesis of the other aforementioned Hadith. This gives us the strong impression that the Hadith must be founded. It is not unfounded. In light of the principle established among the experts in the field of Hadith, a Hadith which is narrated by several sources and several weak Sanad is elevated to the rank of a “Hassan” Hadith. Therefore, we can easily conclude, without any hesitation, that leave alone not being "Mawdu", the hadith actually holds the rank of “Hassan”. Note that a “Hassan” Hadith is acceptable and has authority.

[English version of "Hadice fabriqué? - L’encre de ene Aalim li pli sacré qui di sang ene Martyr." – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.12]