Question

Is the following Hadith established? And if so, where?

خير الدعاء الخفي

 

Answer

This Hadith has appeared in a few of the books of Fiqh, albeit without a chain.

(Refer: Badai’us Sanai’I, vol. 2, pgs. 15 and 234, and Ad-Durrul Mukhtar with Raddul Muhtar, vol. 2, pg. 44)

In the books of Hadith, a similar narration has been recorded on the authority of Sayyiduna Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (radiyallahu ‘anhu), but with the following wording:

خير الذكر الخفي وخير الرزق ما يكفي

This narration has been recorded by Imam Ahmad and others (rahimahumullah).

(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, pg. 172; Also see: Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah along with the footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah, Hadith: 30279)

The Muhaddithun have differed with regards to the ruling of this Hadith.

Nonetheless, Imam Ibn Hibban, ‘Allamah Munawi, and ‘Allamah Zurqani (rahimahumullah) have all declared this Hadith as authentic (Sahih). Others have differed and labeled it as weak [but indeed suitable for explainig the merit of deeds].

(Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith: 442, At-Targhib wat Tarhib, Hadith: 2545, Fatawal Imam An Nawawi; Al Masailul Manthurah, pgs. 261-262, Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 458, and Mukhtasarul Maqasid, Hadith: 428; Also see: Al-Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 884, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10, pg. 81, Mukhatasarul Ithaf, Hadith: 6808, Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 4009, At-Taysir, vol. 1, pg. 526, Kashful Khafa, Hadith: 1250, Ithafus Sadatil Muttaqin, vol. 4, pg. 493, and the footnotes on Al-Matalibul ‘Aliyah, Hadith: 3282)

Translation

Sayyiduna Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The best [type/form of] dhikr is that which is concealed/hidden and the best [type of] sustenance is that which is sufficient [and makes one independent, lest he has to ask others].”

 

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar