The Hadith: 'Anyone who dies without knowing the Imam of his time will die the death of one belonging to Jahiliyyah'

Q 1: Anyone who dies without knowing the Imam of his time will die the death of one belonging to Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance). What is the degree of authenticity of this Hadith?

A1: The Hadith in this wording was fabricated by the Shiites and falsely ascribed to the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Shaykh of Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah, wrote in his book Minhaj Al-Sunnah: "By Allah, the Messenger (peace be upon him) could not have said it in this wording. In fact the well-known narration was reported by Imam Muslim that Ibn `Umar came to `Abdullah ibn Muti` when the incident of Al-Harrah took place. He said, 'Place a pillow for Abu `Abdul-Rahman to lean on,' but `Abdullah ibn `Umar said to him, 'I did not come to sit, but to tell you that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: One who withdraws his hand from obedience (to the Amir) will have no plea (in his defense) when he stands before Allah on the Day of Judgment, and one who dies without having bound himself by an oath of allegiance (to an Amir) will die the death of one belonging to Jahiliyyah. '" See (Mukhtasar Al-Minhaj) p.30 Q 2: What do you say about the people who deny the Hadiths (Part No. 3; Page No. 195) of the Messenger (peace be upon him)? A2: The Sunnah (acts, sayings or approvals of the Prophet) is the second source of the Shari`ah (Islamic law) after the Qur'an according to the Statement of Allah (Exalted be He): And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). And: He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), has indeed obeyed Allâh All Muslim scholars agree by Ijma` (consensus of scholars) on the obligation of acting upon the Sunnah. As for the person who denies acting upon the Sunnah, they are considered a Kafir (disbeliever) because they deny Allah and His Messenger and the Ijma` of Muslim scholars.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.