What is the authenticity of this Hadith?
Sayyiduna Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said, I asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what charity is best?’ He replied, ‘Providing drinking water.’
Answer:
Imam Ibn Majah (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith. Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith authentic.
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3684, Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 3348. Also see Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 1676)
Imams Abu Dawud, Nasai and Ahmad (rahimahumallah) have also recorded a slightly longer version of the narration.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 1678, Sunan Nasai; Al Mujtaba, Hadith: 3664, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5 pg. 284/285)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar