Question
What is the status of the following Hadith?
لما بعث الله عز وجل موسى إلى فرعون قال رب، أي شيء أقول؟ قال قل أهيا شراهيا
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
Answer
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) has cited this narration as you have stated. The full translation is as follows:
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) says:
“When Allah sent Musa to Fir’awn, Musa (‘alayhis salam) said, ‘O my Rabb, what should I say’? Allah said, say ‘Ahya sharahiya’
A’amash (rahimahullah) explains that this phrase means, ‘I [Allah] am the ever living before everything and the ever living after everything.’”
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Taha, verse: 46)
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) says that the chain of narrators is good (jayyid), but this is something strange (shay-un gharib)
Note: This narration should be quoted as reported, i.e., as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar