Riyad as-Salihin, 117

Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

I asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Which action is the best?" He (ﷺ) said, "Faith in Allah and Jihad in the way of Allah." I asked: "Which neck (slave) is best (for emancipation)?" He said, "That which is dearest of them in price and most valuable of them to its masters". I asked: "If I cannot afford (it)?" He said, "Then help a labourer or work for one who is disabled". I asked: "If I cannot do (it)?" He said, "You should restrain yourself from doing wrong to people, because it (serves as) charity which you bestow upon yourself". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

الأول‏:‏ عن أبي ذر جندب بن جنادة رضي الله عنها قال‏:‏ قلت يا رسول الله، أي الأعمال أفضل‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏الإيمان بالله، والجهاد في سبيله‏"‏‏.‏ قلت‏:‏ أي الرقاب أفضل‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏أنفسها عند أهلها، وأكثرها ثمناً‏"‏ قلت‏:‏ فإن لم أفعل‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏تعين صانعاً أو تصنع لأخرق‏"‏ قلت‏:‏ يا رسول الله أرأيت إن ضعفت عن بعض العمل‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ تكف شرك عن الناس فإنها صدقة منك على نفسك‏"‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 117

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) It reflects the Companions’ keenness to ask about the best of deeds so that they can implement them. This is how righteous people should be! It is obligatory upon the individual to pursue the best deeds likely to draw him closer to Allah, Glorified and Exalted, to earn the most reward. 2) Helping people is one of the most excellence good deeds in the sight of Allah. 3) Abstaining from harming people is a typical character of a [true] Muslim, and everyone must embrace it. 4) The individual should, to the best of his ability, follow a gradual process in observing acts of worship. He should be keen on doing what is most beneficial and avoid laziness, because the most beloved deeds to Allah, Glorified and Exalted, are the ones done constantly even if they are few.

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