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:724ʿAbdullāh from my father > al-Walīd > Saʿīd b. ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz > Rabīʿah b. Zayd

[Machine] Abu Darda used to say: "Perform a righteous deed before the battle, for you will only fight people with your deeds."  

الزهد لأحمد:٧٢٤حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ حَدَّثَنَا رَبِيعَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ

أَنَّ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ كَانَ يَقُولُ اعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا قَبْلَ الْغَزْوِ فَإِنَّمَا تُقَاتِلُونَ النَّاسَ بِأَعْمَالِكُمْ