Nasai

(1) According to the research of the esteemed scholar and investigator, the chain of narration (isnad) of this narration is hasan (good); however, to call this chain hasan is questionable because there is a narrator in the chain named Abu Habibah who is majhul (unknown). Nevertheless, on the basis of supporting evidences, some scholars have declared this narration to be hasan. See: (Dhakheerat al-‘Uqba Sharh Sunan al-Nasa’i: 30/86)

(2) The purpose is that, in terms of reward, charity (sadaqah) given at the time of death is lesser than charity given during good health. This does not mean that it has no reward or benefit, because every good deed is beneficial at all times.

Urdu Footnote:
Note:
(In the chain of narration, Abu Habibah is weak in hadith.)

Benefits and Issues:
Although it is permissible to give charity (sadaqah) or make a bequest (wasiyyah) up to one third of one’s wealth near death, it is more virtuous—as is mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari: It is narrated from Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu that a man asked the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam: “O Messenger of Allah, which charity is best?” He replied: “That you give charity while you are healthy and covetous (i.e., desiring life and wealth), wishing to remain wealthy and fearing poverty, and do not delay so much that when your soul reaches your throat you say, ‘Give this much to so-and-so and that much to so-and-so,’ while in fact it has already become the property of so-and-so (by right of inheritance).”

In the Noble Qur’an, Allah the Exalted says: (The people of faith) give preference to others over themselves, even though they themselves are in need.