Question
What is the authenticity of the following Hadith?
A person once came in front of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and asked, ‘Which action is the best?’ Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Good character’. He then came to the right of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and asked the same question. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) gave the same response. He again asked the same question from the left side of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) gave the same response. He asked the question for a fourth time from behind Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘What is the matter, why are you not understanding, good character is that you do not become angry if you are able to”
Answer
Imam Muhammad ibn Nasr Al Marwazi (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Abul ‘Ala Ash Shikh-khir, a Tabi’i (mursalan), with a reliable chain.
(Ta’zimu Qadris Salah, Hadith: 878)
‘Allamah Mundhiri (rahimahullah) has also indicated towards the reliability of this narration. The narration is suitable to quote.
(Refer: Targhib, vol. 3, pg. 405/6. Also see Jami’ul ‘Ulumi Wal Hikam, vol. 1, pg. 276, under Hadith: 16)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar