Al-hakim Al-mustadrak Vol. 4 P. 398 Today

While variations exist between editions (Beirut 1990 vs. Hyderabad 1915), a consistent narration appearing on or near this page is often attributed to Abu Hurairah (RA) or Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (RA) regarding the end of times. For example, one might find:

Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The night and day will not come to an end until a man from the tribe of Ghifar has ruled over this earth." (Graded by al-Hakim as Sahih according to Muslim’s standard, with al-Dhahabi concurring).

Alternatively, the page may contain a lengthy tradition about the descent of ‘Isa (Jesus) son of Mary, the emergence of Yajuj and Majuj (Gog and Magog), and the ultimate establishment of justice. al-hakim al-mustadrak vol. 4 p. 398

In the vast ocean of Islamic hadith literature, few works occupy as unique a position as Al-Mustadrak ‘ala al-Sahihayn by the great 11th-century Muhaddith (hadith scholar), Imam Abu ‘Abd Allah al-Hakim al-Nishapuri (may Allah have mercy on him). Among the thousands of traditions he compiled, a specific reference—Al-Hakim al-Mustadrak vol. 4, p. 398—has garnered significant attention from scholars, students, and lay readers alike.

Why is this specific page so important? What narrations reside there? And why do scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah, as well as those from other Islamic intellectual traditions, frequently cite this precise location? This article unpacks the significance, the content, and the scholarly debates surrounding this landmark page. While variations exist between editions (Beirut 1990 vs

The page often references obscure narrators from the 2nd and 3rd Islamic centuries. Scholars of rijal (narrator criticism) will cite this page when discussing figures like ‘Abdullah ibn Lahi‘ah or al-Walid ibn Muslim—known for mixing authentic narrations with weak ones.

The key to understanding the value of vol. 4, p. 398 lies in the margins. Al-Hakim often concludes a Hadith with: "This is a Sahih Hadith, not compiled by al-Bukhari and Muslim" (هذا حديث صحيح على شرطهما ولم يخرجاه). Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Messenger of Allah

However, Imam al-Dhahabi, in his Talkhis, frequently responds with:

Scholars advise: Never quote al-Hakim’s Mustadrak without referencing al-Dhahabi’s verdict in the margin. A tradition on p. 398 that al-Hakim calls "Sahih" might be downgraded by al-Dhahabi due to a hidden defect (‘illah) or a transmitter known for tadlis (concealing defects in transmission).