Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib reported: We were sitting with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said, “Which handle of Islam is the most firm?” They said, “Prayer.” The Prophet said, “It is good, but that is not it.” They said, “Charity.” The Prophet said, “It is good, but that is not it.” They said, “Fasting the month of Ramadan.” The Prophet said, “It is good, but that is not it.” They said, “The Hajj pilgrimage.” The Prophet said, “It is good, but that is not it.” They said, “Jihad.” The Prophet said, “It is good, but that is not it. Verily, the most trustworthy handle of faith is to love and hatred for the sake of Allah.”
Source: Musnad Aḥmad 18524
Grade: Hasan li ghayrihi (fair due to external evidence) according to Al-Arna’ut
عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ قَالَ كُنَّا جُلُوسًا عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ أَيُّ عُرَى الْإِسْلَامِ أَوْثَق قَالُوا الصَّلَاةُ قَالَ حَسَنَةٌ وَمَا هِيَ بِهَا قَالُوا الزَّكَاةُ قَالَ حَسَنَةٌ وَمَا هِيَ بِهَا قَالُوا صِيَامُ رَمَضَانَ قَالَ حَسَنٌ وَمَا هُوَ بِهِ قَالُوا الْحَجُّ قَالَ حَسَنٌ وَمَا هُوَ بِهِ قَالُوا الْجِهَادُ قَالَ حَسَنٌ وَمَا هُوَ بِهِ إِنَّ أَوْثَق عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ أَنْ تُحِبَّ فِي اللَّهِ وَتُبْغِضَ فِي اللَّهِ
18524 مسند أحمد بن حنبل
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