Is this Hadith authentic?
جاء أعرابي إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: دلني على عمل يدخلني الجنة. قال: أطعم الجائع، واسق الظمآن، وأمر بالمعروف، وانه عن المنكر، فإن لم تطق فكف لسانك إلا من خير
Answer
Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abid Dunya (rahimahullah) has recorded these words on the authority of Sayyiduna Bara ibn ‘Al ‘Azib (radiyallahu ‘anhu). ‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) has declared the chain authentic (jayyid).
(As Samt Wa Adabul Lisan, Hadith: 67, Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 2831)
Imam Ahmad, Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahumallah) and other Muhaddithun have recorded a longer version of the Hadith.
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 4 pg. 299, Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 374. Also see Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 4 pg. 240)
Translation
A Bedouin came to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said, ‘Show me an action through which I will enter Jannah. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Feed the hungry, provide drink for the thirsty, enjoin good, forbid evil. If you are unable to do this then control your tongue [from speaking evil, except when [speaking] good.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar