Is this Hadith reliable?
Moderation in spending is half of [one’s] sustenance, friendliness toward people is half of [one’s] intelligence, and asking good questions is half of [one’s] knowledge (Shu’abul Iman)
Answer
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith in his Shu’abul Iman as stated above with a weak chain. In fact Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) himself has declared the chain of narrators as weak.
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 6148)
However, ‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) has cited numerous similar narrations which support the Hadith in question. Therefore ‘Allamah Zurqani (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith in question as ‘hasan li ghayrihi’ (sound due to corroborating narrations).
(Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 140 and Mukhtasarul Maqasid, Hadith: 126)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar