1335 – Abu al-Dardaʾ (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever defends his brother’s honor in his absence, Allah will turn the Fire away from his face on the Day of Resurrection.” Al-Tirmidhi recorded the hadith and judged it hasan (1). A similar wording is found in the Musnad of Ahmad, transmitted by Asmaʾ bint Yazid (2).

Grading of the hadith:
The report is classified as hasan. Al-Tirmidhi graded it so, and Ibn al-Qattan noted that what prevents it from reaching the level of sahih is the presence of Marzuq al-Tamimi, whose reliability is unknown, yet the narration is strengthened by supporting chains. Al-Manawi remarked that al-Suyuti also indicated the version of Asmaʾ bint Yazid to be hasan. Al-Mundhiri said, “Ahmad’s chain is hasan,” and al-Haythami likewise stated, “Its chain is hasan.”

Vocabulary:
• man radda – i.e., he repelled the attack and protected.
• ʿirḍh akhīhi – a person’s honor or reputation, the qualities for which he is praised or blamed.

Points derived from the hadith:
1 – The narration praises the act of defending a Muslim’s honor when he is maligned in his absence during a gathering. If someone present begins to backbite, the vigilant believer steps in and silences the one who takes pleasure in the honor of absent Muslims.