Is this Hadith authentic?
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“The best charity is that given in Ramadan”
Answer
Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith.
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was asked, ‘After [the fast of] Ramadan, which fast is the best?’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied, ‘Sha’ban, in honour of Ramadan.’ It was then asked, ‘Which charity is the best?’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied, ‘Charity in Ramadan.’
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 663)
Imam Tirmidhi (rahimahullah) has graded the Hadith weak. However there does exist authentic support for its purport.
refer: Ma’arifus Sunan, vol.5 pg.274 and Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 9856 with Shaykh ‘Awwamah’s footnotes.
It has also authentically been reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) himself would fast extra in Sha’ban and was extremely generous in Ramadan. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 6, 1902 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2308)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar