Is this narration reliable?
“Indeed, remembrance of Allah is seven hundred times superior to spending in the path of Allah”
Answer:
The narration you have provided is incomplete. The full narration is as follows:
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Certainly remembering Allah Ta’ala while in Allah’s path, is seven hundred times superior to spending in the path of Allah”
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 3 pg. 438. Also see Hashiyatus Sindhi ‘Ala Musnadil Imam Ahmad)
The above is suitable to quote (and can be declared hasan- sound) since it is supported by a similar narration recorded in Sunan Abi Dawud and Mustadrak Hakim. This narration is as follows:
“Salah, fasting and dhikr [in the path of Allah] is seven hundred times superior to spending in the path of Allah Ta’ala”
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 2490 and Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2 pg. pg. 78)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar