Q: Some people in Dar AlNa`im, Port Sudan, say that one day a person who claims knowledge gave them a Khutbah (sermon) after the Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer. He told them that when Khadijah, the wife of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) died, he slaughtered a camel and accepted condolences for three days. He claimed this was mentioned in the Hadith of Qatadah. He mentioned another Hadith without specifying the source narrator stating that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "I am a tree whose trunk is `Aly, whose branch is Fatimah, and whose fruits are AlHasan and AlHussayn." He mentioned a third Hadith that states that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was once walking in the mountains of Makkah when he met a Jewish man. He asked him, "Have you not believed in me yet?" The Jew replied, "No." He said to him, "Ask this tree to come." The Jew said, "Muhammad asks you to come." So, the tree came to him covering him with its shade. He asked it, "Who am I?" The tree replied, "You are Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah." The Jew then pronounced the two Shahadahs (Testimonies of Faith). The tree then ascended to the heavens; it circumambulated around `Arsh (Allah's Throne), Kursy (Allah's Chair) and AlLawhulMahfuzh (the Preserved Tablet); and it asked Allah for permission to invoke peace and blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him). He (peace be upon him) asked the Jew to kiss his hands and his feet. Another tale states that `Uthman ibn `Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) saw a man circumambulating around the Ka`bah, so he said to him, "You have committed Zina (adultery)." The man asked, "How did you know that?" He said, "I saw it in your eyes." The man said, "I have not committed Zina, but I looked at a Jewish woman (lustfully)." He asked `Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), "Did you know this through Wahy (Revelation)?" He replied, "No, it is just a Mu'min's (believer) insight." When that preacher was asked for pieces of evidence on these tales, his supporters attacked us. Please, clarify the opinion of Shari`ah (Islamic law) regarding these tales.
A: These are all fabricated and groundless narrations that are falsely ascribed to the Prophet (peace be upon him). He did not accept condolences for three days on the death of Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), nor did he slaughter a camel or invite the people to come and offer condolences for him, like what people do nowadays. He (peace be upon him) used to supplicate to Allah (Exalted be He) for Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) often. Sometimes, he used to slaughter a camel and distribute it among her friends as a gift. He also used to supplicate to Allah (Exalted be He) to have mercy upon her.
These four tales are all false and fabricated. However, it was authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in other Hadiths that he called some trees, so they came to him. This is one of the signs of Prophethood. This tale is authentically established in the Sahih (authentic) Book of Muslim. Once while he was traveling, he wanted to urinate, so he asked two trees to come near. He sat down between them to urinate and then each tree returned to its place. This is one of the miracles performed by Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) and one of the signs of His Omnipotence; when He decrees something, He says to it only "Be!" and it is. It is also one of the proofs on the Prophethood of the Messenger of Allah. This is unlike the tale fabricated by this man.
People should be warned against those liars, a preacher should fear Allah (Exalted be He) as He should be feared while preaching people. He should remind them of what benefits them in religious and worldly affairs through Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) and Sahih Hadiths. It is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that he said, A person who relates from me something which they deem false is a liar. Related by Muslim in his Sahih Book of Hadith.He (peace be upon him) also said, Whoever fabricates lies against me, let them assume their abode in Hellfire. (Agreed upon by Imams AlBukhari and Muslim).There are many Hadiths in this regard.