Question Summary:
The categorisation of the Hadith on the status of Arabs?

Question Detail:

A hadith is mentioned in Timidhi (refer to details in this link http://islamqa.info/en/117609) regarding not saying anything bad for the Arabs (even though it is Haq and truth). I have checked with some Ulemas and they say that the hadith cannot be taken and it is a Daef hadith, however, some Ulema from the Tableegh jamaa' still insist that the hadith must be followed. What is the truth about this hadith? Please advise 

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. 
Hereunder is the Hadith in reference:
عن سلمان قال قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:  يا سلمان؛ لا تبغضني فتفارق دينك. قلت: يا رسول الله كيف أبغضك وبك هدانا الله! قال: تبغض العرب فتبغضني
It is narrated that Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and salutations of Allah be upon him) said, “O Salman, do not hate me and give up your religion.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, how can I hate you when Allah has guided us through you? He replied: “By hating the Arabs you would hate me.”[1]
At the outset, it should be understood that the classification of some Ahadith as Sahih (authentic) and Daeef (weak) is often subject to differences among the experts of the science of Hadith. While one Muhaddith declares one Hadith as Sahih, it could be declared Daeef by another. The differences could also be due to different angles and dimensions which are known to people specialising in the field of Hadith.
Nevertheless, the subject matter of the Hadith in reference is about virtue (Fadha`il) and is declared reliable (Hasan) by Imam Tirmidhi who is an authority on Hadith. According to some Muhadditheen, the Hadith in reference is Daeef[2]. In that case, the following explanation will be useful.  
The word `Daeef` in the context of Hadith is a terminology with specific conditions and implications known to Ulema who specialise in the field of Hadith. While we understand that the specifications of a Daeef Hadith and its implications may be beyond the comprehension of all people in general, in an attempt to explain ourselves, we will present a simplified version of Daeef in Hadith and how such a Hadith could be accepted by way of example.
If there is a big parcel that needs to be tied, one thin piece of string will not suffice. However, if more thin strings are attached to that one string, the joint strings will become a strong rope and it will suffice to tie the parcel.
Likewise, a Hadith may be declared as weak due to various reasons. However, there may be similar Ahadith that support each other in their general meaning[3]. As such, the focus will not be on the one weak Hadith; rather the focus will be on all the weak Ahadith presenting the common message and consolidating each other[4].
The following Ahadith all collaborate to establish the virtue of Arabs:
من غشّ العربَ لم يدخل في شفاعتي ولم تنله مودّتي
Whoever cheats the Arabs, he will not be included in my intercession, and my love will not reach him[5].
أحبّوا العرب لثلاث: لأنّي عربي، والقرآن عربي وكلام أهل الجنة عربي
Love the Arabs for three things: because I am an Arab; the Qur’ān is in Arabic and the language of the people of Paradise is Arabic[6].
من أحب العرب فقد أحبني، ومن أبغض العرب فقد أبغضني
Whoever has loved the Arabs has done so because of my love and whoever has hated the Arabs has done so because of having enmity for me[7].
The categorisation of Ahadith can only be understood with proper comprehension of the sciences of Hadith. It is not appropriate for anyone to comment on issues pertaining to the Hadith or its categorisation without having proper and thorough understanding of the sciences of Hadith.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Hanif Yusuf Patel
Student Darul Iftaa
UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net