Riyad as-Salihin, 1299

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

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The best life is that of the man who holds his horse's rein in Allah's way and flies on its back to the places from whence he hears a war cry or the clatter of arms, seeking martyrdom or slaughter on the battlefield; or that of a person who goes to stay on the top of the hill or in a valley, and there he performs Salat (prayer), pays the Zakat and worships his Rubb till death overtakes him. He has no concern with the affairs of anyone except the doing of good." [Muslim].

وعنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏

‏من خير معاش الناس لهم رجل ممسك بعنان فرسه في سبيل الله، يطير على متنه كلما سمع هيعة، أو فزعة طار على متنه، يبتغي القتل أو الموت مظانه، أو رجل في غنيمة أو شعفة من هذه الشعف أو بطن واد من هذه الأودية يقيم الصلاة ويؤتي الزكاة، ويعبد ربه حتى يأتيه اليقين ليس من الناس إلا في خير‏

‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 11, Hadith 15

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) One of the best goals is to seek and expect martyrdom in the cause of Allah Almighty. 2) Retirement from people when corruption is rife must be associated with fulfillment of religious obligations. It should not be used as a reason not to perform acts of worship, as some people do, abandoning Friday prayer and congregational prayers on the grounds of prevalent corruption.

Related hadiths3