Question:

Al-Hasan al-Lu’lu’i said:

“Forty years of my life have passed in which I never awoke or went to sleep except that a book was resting on my chest.“

[Jami’ Bayan al-‘Ilm wa Fadlih]

Is it authentic?

Answer:

It is mentioned by Hafidh Ibn Abdul-Barr rahimahullah in Jami’ Bayan ‘Ilm (no. 2426):

“It was reported from Hasan al-Lu’lu – if it is authentic from him – that he said: “Forty years have passed me in which I did not get up or go to sleep except there was a book on my chest”

Hafidh Ibn Abdul-Barr does not mention a chain and the verifier of the book did not comment on it. However, the wording “if it is authentic from him” shows doubt about its authenticity.

I also found the narration reported by Jaahidh in his Book al-Hayawaan where he said:

وسمعت الحسن اللؤلؤي يقول: غبرت أربعين عاما ما قلت ولا بت ولا اتكأت إلا والكتاب موضوع على صدري

And I heard Hasan al-Lu’lu say: “I remained for forty years in which I did not speak nor sleep nor recline except there was a book placed on my chest”

[al-Hayawaan (1/52-53)

Jaahidh met al-Hasan al-Lu’lu; however, Jaahidh is not reliable. Tha’lab said: “He is not reliable”

[Siyar ‘Alaam an-Nubala (11/527)]

It was also mentioned by ‘Aidh al-Qarni in his book ‘La Tahzan [Do not Be Sad]’ without a chain or reference. It appears he took it directly from Jaahidh as he has the same wording and passage. However, the book ‘Do Not Be Sad’ is not a book that should be read as Shaikh Ahmad an-Najmi rahimahullah mentioned here.

So it is doubtful whether this narration is authentic and it appears to be weak.

And Allah Knows best

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan