Al-Jar thum al-dar Hadith

Question

Is the well-known hadith "Al-Jar Thumma Al-Dar" (The Neighbor Before the House) authentic in terms of its chain of transmission and correct in its meaning?

Al-Jar Thumma Al-Dar (persian:اَلْجَارَ ثُمَّ الدَّار) is a narration attributed to Fatimah al-Zahra (sa) that emphasizes the importance of prioritizing others, such as neighbors, in prayers before focusing on oneself. Although the chain of transmission (isnad) of this hadith is weak and most of its narrators are unknown, its content is considered acceptable. The Quran mentions how Prophet Ibrahim (as) prayed for others before himself, and the Angels of the Throne continuously seek forgiveness for the believers. Additionally, Allah commands praying for parents without mentioning oneself, which aligns with the concept of prioritizing others in prayer.

Text of the Hadith

Sheikh al-Saduq narrates this hadith as follows:

From al-Husayn ibn Ali, from his brother al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), who said: I saw my mother, Fatimah (sa), standing in her prayer niche on the night of Friday. She continued praying, bowing, and prostrating until the dawn light appeared. I heard her praying for the believers, both men and women, and mentioning them by name. She prayed extensively for them but did not pray for herself. So I said to her, 'O mother! Why do you not pray for yourself as you pray for others?' She replied, 'O my son! The neighbor first, then the house.'"

Authenticity of the Hadith

Sheikh al-Saduq mentions the hadith with two chains of transmission, both of which are weak due to the presence of unknown narrators whose reliability has not been verified in the science of hadith criticism (Ilm al-Rijal).

First Chain of Transmission

• Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Qazwini, known as Ibn Maqburah: Unknown and not mentioned in the books of Ilm al-Rijal. Sayyid Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei stated that he was one of Sheikh al-Saduq's teachers.
• Muhammad ibn Abdillah al-Hadrami: No mention of his reliability in the books of Ilm al-Rijal.
• Jandal ibn Waliq: Unknown and not mentioned in the books of Ilm al-Rijal.
• Muhammad ibn Umar al-Mazini: Unknown and not mentioned in the books of Ilm al-Rijal.
• Ubadah al-Kulaybi: Some scholars speculate he might be Ubad ibn Suhayb, who is reliable. Otherwise, he is also unknown.

Second Chain of Transmission

• Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Hakim al-Marwazi al-Muqri': Unknown and not mentioned in Ilm al-Rijal.
• Muhammad ibn Ja'far al-Muqri Abu Amr: Not mentioned in Ilm al-Rijal.
• Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Mawsili bi-Baghdad: Unknown and not mentioned in Ilm al-Rijal.
• Muhammad ibn Asim: Unknown.
• Abu Zayd al-Kahhal: Not mentioned in Ilm al-Rijal.

Concept of the Hadith

Praying for Others in the Quran and Authentic Narrations

See also: Intercession for Others

The concept of prioritizing others in prayer is supported by the Quran and authentic narrations from the Ahlul Bayt. The statement "Al-Jar Thumma Al-Dar" does not imply neglecting personal supplication but emphasizes that praying for others is a higher virtue. The Quran supports this practice:

• In Surah Al-Isra, Verse 24, Allah commands praying for parents:

﴾And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small.'﴿

• In Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 126, Prophet Ibrahim (as) prays for the people of Makkah before himself:

«And [mention] when Ibrahim said, 'My Lord, make this city secure and provide its people with fruits—whoever of them believes in Allah and the Last Day.'»

• In Surah Ibrahim, Verse 37, Ibrahim (as) prays for his progeny, not himself:

﴾Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House...﴿

• In Surah Ghafir, Verses 7-9, the Angels of the Throne seek forgiveness for the believers:

﴾Those who carry the Throne and those around it exalt Allah with praise... and ask forgiveness for those who have believed...﴿