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