178 – ʿAlī (Allah be pleased with him) said, “I had two set times for entering upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; so whenever I came to him while he was praying, he would clear his throat for me.” Narrated by al-Nasāʾī and Ibn Mājah (1).

Status of the ḥadīth:
Scholars have differed regarding its grading: some judged it sound (ḥasan) while others deemed it weak. It was authenticated by Ibn al-Sakan and Ibn Ḥibbān. Al-Bayhaqī (2/247) remarked, “Its chain and text are disputed: one version states ‘he glorified (sabbaḥ),’ another ‘he cleared his throat (tanaḥnaḥ).’ The report revolves around ʿAbd Allāh ibn Nujay. There is disagreement about him: some transmit ‘from him, from ʿAlī,’ and others ‘from him, from his father, from ʿAlī.’ Ibn Maʿīn held that he did not hear it directly from ʿAlī; his father stands between him and ʿAlī.” Al-Nawawī ruled the ḥadīth weak in al-Majmūʿ, citing the weakness of its chain and the inconsistency in both transmitter and wording.

Vocabulary:
• madkhalān – the dual of madkhal; here it signifies two appointed times for entering.
• tanaḥnaḥa – to make a low throaty sound like a cough; to clear one’s throat.

Points derived from the ḥadīth:
1 – ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib’s relationship with the Prophet ﷺ was especially close. He was his cousin, the husband of his daughter, and among his most intimate and trusted Companions; hence he had two specific times when he could visit the Prophet in his home.