Question
Is this authentic:
Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“The superiority of the young person who worships Allah during his youth over the old person who worships Allah after ageing, is like the superiority of Allah’s messengers over the entire creation.” (Musnadul Firdaws)
Answer
This narration with this wording, is cited in Musnadul Firdaws.
(Musnadul Firdaws, Hadith: 4355)
Although the wording is slightly different in this version, it is the exact same Hadith that has been recorded by Imam Ibn Shahin and has been answered here. The narration has been declared a fabrication.
Shaykh Ahmad Siddiq Al Ghumari has cited the chain of narrators from Musnadul Firdaws. The chain goes through Imam Ibn Shahin (rahimahullah).
(Refer: Al Mudawi, Hadith: 2399)
The Hadith in question is therefore not suitable to quote. Kindly refer to the link above for other suitable narrations which may be quoted instead.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar