For students of Islamic sciences, Sunan Abi Dawood is a monumental work. It is one of the Kutub al-Sittah (The Six Authentic Books), highly respected by Sunni Muslims worldwide. However, within the circles of Hadith scholarship, few reference numbers provoke as much debate, confusion, and critical analysis as Hadith number 4131 .
This article will dissect the controversy, explain the technical flaws in the chain of narration (isnad), present the verdict of major scholars (Muhadditheen), and finally, explain how modern scholarship has "fixed" the misunderstanding surrounding Abu Dawood 4131. Before we discuss the "fix," we must understand the content. The Hadith is narrated by the companion Al-Rabi’ b. Al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib. abu dawood 4131 fixed
describes a man named Dhu al-‘Ushairah who claimed he saw the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the marketplace of Dhil-Majaz wearing two "worn-out sheets" (or garments stained with dye). The Prophet was reportedly saying: "O people, say: There is no god but Allah, and you will succeed." The reaction of the man (Dhu al-‘Ushairah) in the Hadith is negative; he mocks the Prophet. The narration goes on to describe the physical beauty and perfection of the Prophet despite the mockery. Why is this Hadith Important? This text is often cited in books on Shama'il (the noble characteristics and appearance of the Prophet). It provides a historical snapshot of early Meccan opposition. However, the isnad (chain) of this specific narration in Sunan Abi Dawood is problematic. The Core Problem: Why Abu Dawood 4131 Needs "Fixing" When Hadith scholars say a narration is "not fixed" ( ghair thabit ), they refer to cracks in the chain of transmission. For Abu Dawood 4131, the issues are threefold: 1. The Broken Chain (Inqita') Imam Abu Dawood himself recorded this narration in his Sunan . In his famous letter to the people of Makkah, he stated that this specific Hadith is Mursal (a type of weak Hadith where the Successor ( Tabi’i ) narrates directly from the Prophet, skipping the Companion). For students of Islamic sciences, Sunan Abi Dawood
| Issue | In Abu Dawood 4131 | The "Fix" (Scientific Correction) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Mursal / Munqati (Broken) | Declared Da'if due to the gap between Tabi'i and Sahabi. | | Narrator Reliability | Dhu al-‘Ushairah (Unknown) | Rejected as Majhul al-Ayn . The "fix" is to note this narrator has no biography. | | Text Authenticity | Shadh (Contradicts Sahih Muslim) | The "fix" is to rule the extra wording as non-thabit (not established). | | Final Ruling | Used by some 5th-century scholars | Fixed by Al-Albani & contemporaries as Da'if Jiddan (Very Weak) or simply Munkar (Rejected). | Conclusion: The Verdict on Abu Dawood 4131 Searching for "abu dawood 4131 fixed" brings you to one clear conclusion: The Hadith is NOT fixed in the sense of being authentic; rather, the scholarly consensus has fixed the matter by categorically declaring it weak. This article will dissect the controversy, explain the
Imam Abu Dawood’s inclusion of a Hadith in his Sunan does not guarantee its authenticity (unlike Bukhari and Muslim). He included weak Hadiths to show their flaws. Hadith 4131 is a textbook example of why chain criticism is vital.
If you have searched for "abu dawood 4131 fixed," you are likely aware that this specific narration regarding the description of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and a man named Dhu al-‘Ushairah has been the subject of intense scrutiny. What does it mean to have this Hadith "fixed"? Is it weak (da'if), authentic (sahih), or has it been tampered with?