Question
Is this narration authentic?
عن زر بن حبيش أن ابن مسعود وكان عنده غلام فقرأ المصحف وعنده أصحابه فجاء رجل يقال له خضرمة فقال يا أبا عبد الرحمن، أي درجات الإسلام أفضل؟ قال: الصلاة قال ثم أي؟ قال الزكاة
Answer
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration. ‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) states, ‘The narrators have been declared credible’ [rijaluhu muwatthaqun].
(Al Mu’jamul Kabir: 9824, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 3 pg. 68)
Translation
Zirr ibn Hubaysh relates, “There was once a youngster by Ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reciting Quran and there were others present as well. A man named Khadramah/Hisrimah came and asked, ‘O Abu Abdir Rahman! Which levels [deeds] of Islam are best? Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, ‘Salah.’ He asked, ‘Then what?’ He replied, ‘Zakah.'”
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar