“The best remembrance is that which is concealed, and the best provision is that which suffices.” It was recorded by Wakīʿ (no. 116) and others, and authenticated by Ibn Ḥibbān (2323). There is, however, room for scrutiny regarding it, which I have explained in my notes on al-Targhīb (3/9). In sum, the hadith is good in my view when all these chains are considered together, particularly since it is authentically reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “O Allah, make the provision of Muhammad’s household sufficient for them.” Reported by al-Bukhārī and Muslim. In a version recorded by Muslim, it reads: “enough,” but there is room for scrutiny regarding its authenticity, as I explained earlier under hadith no. 130.

1835 — “The best of you are those who are best to their families.”

Al-Ṭabarānī recorded it in al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr (22/341/854), and Ibn ʿAsākir (15/95/2), through Ismāʿīl ibn ʿAyyāsh, who said: ʿUmar ibn Ruʾbah narrated to us from Abū Kabshah, attributed to the Prophet.

I say: This is a good chain of transmission, though there is some weakness in this ʿUmar. It has many supporting reports from the hadith of Abū Hurayrah and others; see the discussion above under hadith no. 284.

1836 — “The best deed is that you depart this world while your tongue is moist with the remembrance of Allah.”

Abū Nuʿaym recorded it in al-Ḥilyah (6/111–112), and al-Baghawī in Sharḥ al-Sunnah (1/294—the Maktab manuscript), through Ismāʿīl ibn ʿAyyāsh, who said: ʿAmr ibn Qays al-Sukūnī narrated to us from ʿAbd Allāh ibn Busr al-Māzinī, who said: