How strong is the Hadith regarding wiping the neck?

Classification: Weak (Da’if).

عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ مُصَرِّفٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، قَالَ: رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَمْسَحُ رَأْسَهُ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً حَتَّى بَلَغَ الْقَذَالَ – وَهُوَ أَوَّلُ الْقَفَا

“Talhah ibn Musarif narrated from his father, from his grandfather who said, ‘I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ  wiping his head once up to his nape.’” – Abu Dawood, 132 [Weak].

This Hadith is weak according to Imam Ibn Hajr al-Asqalaani:

مَا رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَأَبُو دَاوُد مِنْ حَدِيثِ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ مُصَرِّفٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ أَنَّهُ «رَأَى النَّبِيَّ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – يَمْسَحُ رَأْسَهُ، حَتَّى بَلَغَ الْقَذَالَ وَمَا يَلِيهِ مِنْ مُقَدَّمِ الْعُنُقِ». وَإِسْنَادُهُ ضَعِيفٌ كَمَا تَقَدَّمَ

What Ahmad and Abu Dawood narrated from the Hadith of Talhah ibn Musarif from his father, from his grandfather that he saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ  wiping his head up to the nape, and what is after it at the beginning of neck. Its chain is weak, as has been mentioned. (al-Talkhees al-Habeer).

According to the scholars if Ahl al-Sunnah weak Hadith can be used for Nafl matters, see the links below for more details.

And Allah (Most High) Knows Best.

– Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen (16.06.2021)

See also:

Is it permitted to use weak Hadith for matters of Nafl?

Using Weak Hadith

Wiping the back of the neck during Wudu

See also (video):