Caution: Translations of Quran and Ḥadīth may lead to possible misapplications and misinterpretations. This site is intended for students of sacred knowledge that are proficient in comprehending classical Arabic and have a strong foundation in Islamic sciences. Also note that religious injunctions rely on several aspects beyond what one may glean through reading individual aḥādīth.
ahmad-zuhd:1543ʿAbdullāh > Hārūn > Sayyār > Nūḥ b. Qays > al-Muʿallá b. Ziyād al-Qurdūsī

[Machine] I said to al-Hasan, "There are two men, one of them devotes himself to worship, while the other takes care of his family. Which one is better?" He replied, "The one who devotes himself to worship is better."  

الزهد لأحمد:١٥٤٣حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ حَدَّثَنَا سَيَّارٌ حَدَّثَنَا نُوحُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ حَدَّثَنَا الْمُعَلَّى بْنُ زِيَادٍ الْقُرْدُوسِيُّ قَالَ

قُلْتُ لِلْحَسَنِ رَجُلَانِ تَفَرَّغَ أَحَدُهُمَا لِلْعِبَادَةِ وَالْآخَرُ يَسْعَى عَلَى عِيَالِهِ أَيُّهُمَا أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ «الَّذِي تَفَرَّغَ لِلْعِبَادَةِ أَفْضَلُ»