Q: I read in the magazine entitled “Qafilat Al-Zayt”, issue no. 120 of Dhul-Hijjah, 1404 A.H., under the title Banu Sa‘d, Banu Al-Harith, Thaqif and Banu Malik. In page 28 of the magazine, I read an article which states, quoting Shaykh Zayid ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad Al-Harithy, the judge of Banu Malik, that when the delegates came to the Prophet (peace be upon him), including the delegation of Banu Al-Harith, or Al-Azd, presided by Suwayd ibn Harithah, and they approached the Prophet (peace be upon him), he asked them, “Who are the people?” Their leader, Suwayd, said, “We are a group of believers.” He (peace be upon him) said, “For every saying is a reality. What is the reality of your Iman (belief)?” Suwayd said, “Fifteen traits: ten of which your messengers asked us to believe in (i.e. the pillars of Iman and Islam), and five traits we acquired in the time of our Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance). We are still sticking to them unless you dislike any of them (and so ask us to quit it).” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “What are these five traits?” Suwayd said, “Steadfastness when meeting the enemy, not taking pleasure in the enemies’ misfortune, patience at the time of affliction, contentment with bitter destiny, and thankfulness at the time of prosperity.” (Part No. 4; Page No. 476) He (peace be upon him) said, “How an excellent five (traits) indeed. I shall tell you another five (traits) so that you return from me with twenty: Do not gather what you will not eat; do not build what you will not live in; do not compete over a thing which tomorrow you shall leave; fear Allah to whom you shall return; and desire that to which you are heading and in which you shall eternally dwell.” When the people went away, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Wise learned men who, by their knowledge, are almost prophets.”Please find attached a copy of the above-mentioned magazine.Please advise about the authenticity of the above Hadith, is it a Hadith authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him), and that is its actual text and wording? Many thanks in advance, and may Allah reward you and guide you.

A: The conversation mentioned in this tale which took place between Suwayd, the head of the delegation, and the Prophet (peace be upon him), and the saying of the Prophet, "Wise learned men who, by their knowledge, are almost prophets" was mentioned by Ibn Kathir in his book "Al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah", vol. 5, p. 106, when he related the arrival of the delegation of Al-Azd to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Its beginning was also mentioned by Ibn Hajar in his book entitled "Al-Isabah", in the biography of Suwayd Al-Azdy, on the authority of `Alqamah ibn Yazid ibn Suwayd Al-Azdy, from his father, from his grandfather Suwayd Al-Azdy. ‘Alqamah is unknown, (Part No. 4; Page No. 477) so he cannot be taken as an authority, for what was stated by Ibn Hajar in his book "Lisan Al-Mizan": `Alqamah ibn Yazid ibn Suwayd on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather, is unknown, and he told a rejected narration which cannot be taken as an authority." Thus, this narration is not true.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.