The So-Called Story of Alqamah, Whose Mother was Displeased with Him

In the Name of Allaah…

The following fabricated story has been passed around in emails and is found on some websites that don’t seem too concerned about what is attributed to the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace):

Alqamah (radi Allahu anhu) was a very pious person. He spent his time in prayer and fasting. At the approach of death he was unable to proclaim the Kalima Shahada, in spite of repeated instruction by those present. Alqamah’s wife sent a messenger to Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) to inform him of Alqamah’s grave condition.

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) enquired whether the parents of Alqamah were alive. He was informed that Alqamah’s mother was alive. Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) asked the aged mother about Alqamah. She replied: ‘Alqamah is a very pious person. He passes his time in Salat and Saum. He performs Tahajjud, but he always disobeys me for the sake of his wife. I am, therefore, displeased with him.’

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘It will be best for him if you forgive him.’ However, she refused. Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) to gather firewood. On hearing this order, Alqamah’s mother asked in consternation: ‘Will my child be burnt in the fire?’

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Yes! Compared to the punishment of Allah, our punishment is light. I take oath by Allah that as long as you remain displeased with him, neither his Salat nor his Sadaqah is accepted.’

The old lady said: ‘I make you and all people present witness that I have forgiven Alqamah.’ Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) addressing the gathering, said: ‘Go and see if the Kalima is on the tongue of Alqamah or not.’

After returning from Alqamah the people informed him that he was reciting the Kalima. Thus, he left this world with the Kalima on his lips. After burying Alqamah, Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘The curse of Allah is on the one who causes difficulty to his mother. The curse of the angels and the curse of mankind be on him. Allah Ta’ala neither accepts his Fardh nor his Nafl Ibadat as long as he does not repent and obey his mother. He has to gain her pleasure as best as he can. Allah’s Pleasure depends on the mother’s pleasure and His Wrath is concealed in her wrath.’ [Ahmad]

This is a fabrication that was actually deleted from the Musnad of Imaam Ahmadby the author himself, since it was narrated by Faa’id ibn ‘Abdir-Rahmaan, an abandoned narrator.  So it is not correct to attribute it to Imaam Ahmad, as pointed out by Shaykh al-Albaanee in his Dha’eef at-Targheeb (2/144), and he referenced it for those who want more details about it to as-Silsilah ad-Dha’eefah (#3183), calling itdha’eef jiddan.  Other scholars listed it in their books warning against fabrications, like Ibn al-Jowzee in his al-Mowdhoo’aat.

it seems to be widespread on websites in both Arabic and English, those that don’t seem to care much about authenticity.  Furthermore, it is incorrect to narrate this story as a hadeeth under the pretense that it is about fadhaa’il al-a’maal (virtuous deeds), since there is a lot of meaning to the narration outside of that, and the permissibility of using such narrations just for admonishments does not include narrations that are severely weak or fabricated, as is the case here.

Furthermore, in the story are clear indications that it is not authentic, like the mention of a person not having his prayer or charity accepted whilst his mother is not pleased with him, or that the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam) was actually gathering firewood to burn him!  We seek refuge with Allaah!

So be warned, fear Allaah the One who puts people in the Hellfire because of lies on the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam), and warn those who have narrated this to you.  And Allaah knows best.

Written by: Moosaa Richardson

www.bakkah.net