Is this authentic?
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘You must fast, for there is nothing equal to it in reward’
Answer:
Imam Nasai (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Umamah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) who asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), ‘Inform me of some deed which I can do’. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Hold on to fasting, for there is nothing like it’
(Sunan Nasai, Al Mujtaba, Hadith: 2220)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has declared the chain of narrators of Imam Nasai authentic.
(Fathul Bari, under Hadith: 1894)
Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahumallah) has also declared a longer version of this Hadith authentic. This version goes on to mention that ‘[Since then] smoke would never be seen during the day at the home of Sayyiduna Abu Umamah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) except if he had guests [implying that he would never cook food during the day since he was fasting]’
(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 3425. Also see Footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah on Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 8988)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar