Question:
Does the particular hadith mention in a circulated video authentic?
The video narrates a story about Abdur Rahman (RA) seeing a woman bathing accidentally, feeling guilty, fleeing to the mountains, and later being forgiven by Allahﷻ after reciting a verse taught by the Prophetﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him).
Answer:
The video says that,
One day, Tha‘labah bin ‘Abdur-Rahman was called by Allah’s Messengerﷺ , who sent him to the house of an Ansari for some work. On his way to the Ansari’s house, ‘Abdur-Rahman (RA) saw a woman bathing. He felt that he had committed a grave mistake. Fearing that Allah might reveal his action to the Prophetﷺ , he left Madinah and stayed in the mountains, feeling ashamed to face the Prophetﷺ . Several days passed in this manner.
One day, Jibril (Alaihis Salam) informed the Prophetﷺ that one of his companions was living in the mountains. When the Prophetﷺ searched for ‘Abdur-Rahman, he sent ‘Umar and Salman (Raliyallahu ‘anhuma) to find him. The two companions went and brought ‘Abdur-Rahman back to the Prophetﷺ ‘Abdur-Rahman said, “O Messengerﷺ of Allah, I have committed a great sin.” The Prophetﷺ consoled him and said, “The mercy of Allah is greater than your sin.” When he heard about Allah’s forgiveness, ‘Abdur-Rahman cried intensely and eventually passed away. The Prophetﷺ carried his funeral bier in such a manner that he walked on his toes. After the burial, it was asked why he walked like that. The Prophetﷺ replied that the angels were present in such large numbers that there was no space left for him to place his feet.
The above narration claims that the Prophetﷺ once sent a man for work, and during his journey, he stood at the door of a house and saw a woman bathing. Out of fear and shame, he ran away and remained in hiding for two months. This raises the question: Is merely seeing such a situation considered a crime? Was his extended absence due to fear justified?
Even by analyzing the content, the story appears problematic. Accidentally seeing a woman bathing is not such a major crime that someone would flee for months fearing revelation. Islamic teachings do not treat accidental viewing as such an extreme offense.
There are cases where companions committed far greater sins and approached the Prophetﷺ ﷺ, who advised repentance and good deeds rather than extreme punishment or fear.
This narration is said to be found in the book Kitab al-Tawwabin (The Book of Those Who Repent). However, when examining such narrations, some issues arise that require further research and verification. Scholars of Hadith have critically examined this narration and its chain of transmission.
Some scholars such as Ibn al-Jawzi have analyzed the narrators of this report and pointed out weaknesses in the chain of transmission. Some narrators, including Sulayman ibn Mansur and others, have been criticized by Hadith scholars. Abu Bakr al-Mufid, a narrator in the chain, was accused of fabricating narrations. Some scholars even stated that his reports should not be accepted as evidence.
Similarly, other scholars like Ibn Abi Hatim, al-‘Uqayli, and al-Nasa’i have also evaluated these narrators and described them as weak or unreliable. Due to these weaknesses, scholars concluded that the narration is not authentic and should not be treated as a reliable Hadith.
The book Kitab al-Tawwabin itself contains many weak and unreliable narrations. Scholars have warned that not everything found in such books can be considered authentic. When reading any religious text, it is important to verify the authenticity of its sources. Many Hadith scholars have stated that this narration is incorrect and should not be spread as if it were authentic.
Spreading false narrations knowingly is a serious sin. If someone spreads such information unknowingly, they should correct themselves once they learn the truth. May Allah forgive our sins and protect us from spreading false information.