What is the authenticity of this narration?
“The superiority of the prayer of a man in his house over his prayer [in a place] that people can see him, is like the superiority of the obligatory prayer over the voluntary.”
Answer
This Hadith is recorded in Shu’abul Iman of Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah), Hadith: 2989 & Al-Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 7322.
Also see Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 6516.
This Hadith is sound (hasan).
See Targhib, vol.1 pg.280 & As-Sirajul Munir, vol.3 pg.22.
Note: After recording this Hadith, Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has stated that this refers to Nafl (voluntary) salah.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar