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.
bukhari:2518ʿUbaydullāh b. Mūsá > Hishām b. ʿUrwah from his father > Abū Murāwiḥ > Abū Dhar

I asked the Prophet, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in Allah and to fight for His Cause." I then asked, "What is the best kind of manumission (of slaves)?" He replied, "The manumission of the most expensive slave and the most beloved by his master." I said, "If I cannot afford to do that?" He said, "Help the weak or do good for a person who cannot work for himself." I said, "If I cannot do that?" He said, "Refrain from harming others for this will be regarded as a charitable deed for your own good."  

البخاري:٢٥١٨حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍ عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ ؓ قَالَ

سَأَلْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ أَىُّ الْعَمَلِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ إِيمَانٌ بِاللَّهِ وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِهِ قُلْتُ فَأَىُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ أَغْلاَهَا ثَمَنًا وَأَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ قَالَ تُعِينُ صَانِعًا أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لأَخْرَقَ قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ قَالَ تَدَعُ النَّاسَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ  


See similar narrations below:

Collected by Muslim, Aḥmad, Ibn Ḥibbān, Nasāʾī's Kubrá, Bayhaqī, Suyūṭī
muslim:84a[Chain 1] Abū al-Rabīʿ al-Zahrānī > Ḥammād b. Zayd > Hishām b. ʿUrwah [Chain 2] Khalaf b. Hishām > Ḥammād b. Zayd > Hishām b. ʿUrwah from his father > Abū Murāwiḥ al-Laythī > Abū Dhar

I said: Messenger of Allah, which of the deeds is the best? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Belief in Allah and Jihad in His cause. I again asked: Who is the slave whose emancipation is the best? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: One who is valuable for his master and whose price is high. I said: If I can't afford to do it? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Help an artisan or make anything for the unskilled (labourer). I (Abu Dharr) said: Messenger of Allah, you see that I am helpless in doing some of these deeds. He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Desist from doing mischief to the people. That is the charity of your person on your behalf.  

مسلم:٨٤aحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الرَّبِيعِ الزَّهْرَانِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ ح وَحَدَّثَنَا خَلَفُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍ اللَّيْثِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ

قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَىُّ الأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ الإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَىُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ أَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا وَأَكْثَرُهَا ثَمَنًا قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ قَالَ تُعِينُ صَانِعًا أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لأَخْرَقَ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ ضَعُفْتُ عَنْ بَعْضِ الْعَمَلِ قَالَ تَكُفُّ شَرَّكَ عَنِ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ مِنْكَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ  

ahmad:9038ʿAffān > Khalīfah b. Ghālib al-Laythī > Saʿīd b. Abū Saʿīd al-Maqburī from his father > Abū Hurayrah

[Machine] A man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while he was present and asked him, "O Prophet of Allah, which deeds are the best?" He replied, "Faith in Allah and striving in His cause." The man asked, "What if I am unable to do that?" He replied, "The greatest reward is freeing a slave, or giving oneself up for martyrdom." The man asked again, "What if I am unable to do that?" He replied, "Assist the weak, or do good to others." The man asked once more, "What if I am unable to do that?" He replied, "Refrain from doing evil, for it is a good deed by which you benefit yourself."  

أحمد:٩٠٣٨حَدَّثَنَا عَفَّانُ حَدَّثَنَا خَلِيفَةُ بْنُ غَالِبٍ اللَّيْثِيُّ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيُّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ

أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ عِنْدَهُ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَالَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللهِ وَالْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ ذَاكَ؟ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَعْظَمُ أَجْرًا؟ قَالَ أَغْلَاهَا ثَمَنًا وَأَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ؟ قَالَ قَوِّمْ ضَائِعًا أَوِ اصْنَعْ لِأَخْرَقَ قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ ذَاكَ؟ قَالَ فَاحْبِسْ نَفْسَكَ عَنِ الشَّرِّ فَإِنَّه صَدَقَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ تَصَدَّقْ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ  

ahmad:10878Abū Saʿīd > Khalīfah / Ibn Ghālib > Saʿīd b. Abū Saʿīd al-Maqburī from his father > Abū Hurayrah

[Machine] A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked, "O Messenger of Allah, which deeds are the best?" The Prophet replied, "Believing in Allah and striving in the cause of Allah." The man asked again, "What if I am not able to do that?" The Prophet said, "Then help the needy or do good for a person with a disability." The man asked again, "And if I am not able to do that?" The Prophet said, "Then restrain yourself from doing evil, for that is a charitable act that you do to yourself."  

أحمد:١٠٨٧٨حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو سَعِيدٍ حَدَّثَنَا خَلِيفَةُ يَعْنِي ابْنَ غَالِبٍ حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيُّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ

أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللهِ وَالْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ ذَلِكَ؟ قَالَ تُعِينُ ضَائِعًا أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ ذَلِكَ؟ قَالَ احْبِسْ نَفْسَكَ عَنِ الشَّرِّ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ  

ahmad:21500Yaḥyá b. Saʿīd > Hishām from my father > Abū Murāwiḥ al-Ghifārī Khbarah > Abū Dhar

[Machine] He informed him that he said, "O Messenger of Allah, which action is the best?" He said, "Faith in Allah and striving in His cause." He said, "Which type of slavery is the best?" He said, "Freeing a slave who is most valuable and most beloved to his family." He said, "What if I am unable to do so?" He said, "Assist the one who is in need or do good for the disabled." He said, "What if I am weak?" He said, "Refrain from doing evil, for it is a charity that you do upon yourself."  

أحمد:٢١٥٠٠حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي أَنَّ أَبَا مُرَاوِحٍ الْغِفَارِيَّ أخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ أَبَا ذَرٍّ

أخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَيُّ الْعَمَلِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ إِيمَانٌ بِاللهِ وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِهِ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ أَغْلَاهَا ثَمَنًا وَأَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا قَالَ أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ؟ قَالَ تُعِينُ صَانِعًا أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ قَالَ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ ضَعُفْتُ؟ قَالَ تُمْسِكُ عَنِ الشَّرِّ فَإِنَّهُ صَدَقَةٌ تَصَّدَّقُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ  

ahmad:21331Sufyān > Hishām b. ʿUrwah from his father > Abū Murāwiḥʿan Abū Dhar

[Machine] I asked, "O Messenger of Allah, which action is the best?" He replied, "Belief in Allah and striving in His cause." I then asked, "O Messenger of Allah, which slaves are the best?" He said, "Those whose lives are most valuable and whose ransom is the highest." I asked, "And if I cannot find any?" He said, "Then help a worker who is in need, or work yourself so you can provide for the destitute." I asked, "And if I am not able to do that?" He said, "Refrain from causing harm to others, as this is a charity you give on behalf of yourself."  

أحمد:٢١٣٣١حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍعَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ

قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَيُّ الْعَمَلِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ إِيمَانٌ بِاللهِ وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِهِ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَأَيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ أَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا وَأَغْلَاهَا ثَمَنًا قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَجِدْ؟ قَالَ تُعِينُ صَانِعًا أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ وَقَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ؟ قَالَ كُفَّ أَذَاكَ عَنِ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقُ بِهَا عَنْ نَفْسِكَ  

ahmad:21449ʿAbd al-Razzāq > Maʿmar > al-Zuhrī > Ḥabīb a freed slave of ʿUrwah b. al-Zubayr > ʿUrwah > Abū Murāwiḥ al-Ghifārī > Abū Dhar

[Machine] A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked him, "O Messenger of Allah, which deeds are the best?" The Prophet replied, "Believing in Allah and striving in His cause." The man then asked, "Which form of charity is the best?" The Prophet said, "To give of what you have earned through your own efforts." The man asked, "And what if I cannot do that?" The Prophet replied, "Then assist a worker or do some work for a handicapped person." The man asked, "And if I am unable to do even that?" The Prophet said, "Then refrain from harming others, for that is a charitable act you can do for yourself."  

أحمد:٢١٤٤٩حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنْ حَبِيبٍ مَوْلَى عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ عَنْ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍ الْغِفَارِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ إِيمَانٌ بِاللهِ وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ فَقَالَ أَيُّ الْعَتَاقَةِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ أَنْفَسُهَا قَالَ أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ أَجِدْ؟ قَالَ فَتُعِينُ الصَّانِعَ أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ قَالَ أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ؟ قَالَ فَدَعِ النَّاسَ مِنْ شَرِّكَ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَّدَّقُ بِهَا عَنْ نَفْسِكَ  

ذِكْرُ الْبَيَانِ بِأَنَّ خَيْرَ الرِّقَابِ وَأَفْضَلَهَا مَا كَانَ ثَمَنُهَا أَعْلَا

ibnhibban:4310Ibn Salm > Ḥarmalah b. Yaḥyá > Ibn Wahb > ʿAmr b. al-Ḥārith > Hishām b. ʿUrwah from his father > Abū Murāwiḥ > Abū Dhar > Yā Nabī Allāh Ay al-ʿAmal Afḍal

I said: Messenger of Allah, which of the deeds is the best? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Belief in Allah and Jihad in His cause. I again asked: Who is the slave whose emancipation is the best? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: One who is valuable for his master and whose price is high. I said: If I can't afford to do it? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Help an artisan or make anything for the unskilled (labourer). I (Abu Dharr) said: Messenger of Allah, you see that I am helpless in doing some of these deeds. He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Desist from doing mischief to the people. That is the charity of your person on your behalf. (Using translation from Muslim 84a)  

ابن حبّان:٤٣١٠أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ سَلْمٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ الْحَارِثِ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍ عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ

قُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ أَيُّ الْعَمَلِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ «الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِهِ» قَالَ قُلْتُ أَيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ «أَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا وَأَكْثَرُهَا ثَمَنًا» قَالَ قُلْتُ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ قَالَ «تُعِينُ ضَعِيفًا أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ» قَالَ قُلْتُ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ ضَعُفْتُ قَالَ «تَكُفُّ شَرَّكَ عَنِ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّهُ صَدَقَةٌ مِنْكَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ»  

ذِكْرُ الْبَيَانِ بِأَنَّ الْجِهَادَ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ الْأَعْمَالِ إِنَّمَا هِيَ مَعَ الشَّهَادَةِ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ

ibnhibban:4596ʿAbdullāh b. Muḥammad al-Azdī > Isḥāq b. Ibrāhīm > ʿAbdah b. Sulaymān And ʾAbū Muʿāwiyah > Hishām b. ʿUrwah from his father > Abū Murāwiḥ > Abū Dhar

[Machine] I said, "O Messenger of Allah, which action is best?" He said, "Faith in Allah and striving in His cause." I asked, "Which slaves are better?" He said, "The ones who are most valuable to their masters and have the highest prices." I said, "But if I am not able to do so?" He said, "Then help a worker or make something for someone lame." I said, "And if I am weak in that?" He said, "Then refrain from evil, for it is a charity that you give to yourself."  

ابن حبّان:٤٥٩٦أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الْأَزْدِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدَةُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ وَأَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ قَالَا حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍ عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ

قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّ الْعَمَلِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ «إِيمَانٌ بِاللَّهِ وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِهِ» قَالَ قُلْتُ فَأَيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ «أَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا وَأَغْلَاهَا ثَمَنًا» قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ قَالَ «تُعِينُ صَانِعًا أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ» قُلْتُ فَإِنْ ضَعُفْتُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ «فَدَعِ الشَّرَّ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ»  

nasai-kubra:4874ʿUbaydullāh b. Saʿīd > Yaḥyá > Hishām from my father > Abū Murāwiḥ > Abū Dhar

[Machine] He informed him that he said: "O Messenger of Allah, which deed is best?" He said: "Belief in Allah and Jihad in His cause." He said: "Which slaves are best?" He said: "The most expensive and valuable among them to their owners."  

الكبرى للنسائي:٤٨٧٤أَخْبَرَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللهِ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى عَنْ هِشَامٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍ أَنَّ أَبَا ذَرٍّ

أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَيُّ الْعَمَلِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ «إِيمَانٌ بِاللهِ وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِهِ» قَالَ فَأَيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ «أَغْلَاهَا ثَمَنًا وَأَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا»  

bayhaqi:12595Abū ʿAbdullāh al-Ḥāfiẓ > Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad b. ʿAlī b. Duḥaym al-Shaybānī Bi-al-Kūfah > Aḥmad b. Ḥāzim b. Abū Gharazah > Jaʿfar b. ʿAwn al-ʿUmarī And ʿUbayd Allāh b. Mūsá al-ʿAbsī > Hishām b. ʿUrwah from his father > Abū Murāwiḥ > Abū Dhar

I asked the Prophet, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in Allah and to fight for His Cause." I then asked, "What is the best kind of manumission (of slaves)?" He replied, "The manumission of the most expensive slave and the most beloved by his master." I said, "If I cannot afford to do that?" He said, "Help the weak or do good for a person who cannot work for himself." I said, "If I cannot do that?" He said, "Refrain from harming others for this will be regarded as a charitable deed for your own good." (Using translation from Bukhārī 2518)   

البيهقي:١٢٥٩٥أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ الْحَافِظُ أنا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ دُحَيْمٍ الشَّيْبَانِيُّ بِالْكُوفَةِ ثنا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَازِمِ بْنِ أَبِي غَرَزَةَ ثنا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ عَوْنٍ الْعُمَرِيُّ وَعُبَيْدُ اللهِ بْنُ مُوسَى الْعَبْسِيُّ قَالَا أنا هِشَامُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍ عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أِيُّ الْعَمَلِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ إِيمَانٌ بِاللهِ وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِهِ قَالَ فَأِيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ أَغْلَاهَا ثَمَنًا وَأَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ؟ قَالَ تُعِينُ ضَعِيفًا أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ؟ قَالَ تَدَعُ النَّاسَ مِنْ شَرِّكَ؛ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ  

رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ فِي الصَّحِيحِ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مُوسَى وَأَخْرَجَهُ مُسْلِمٌ مِنْ وَجْهٍ آخَرَ عَنْ هِشَامٍ
bayhaqi:11439Abū al-Ḥusayn ʿAlī b. Muḥammad b. Bishrān > Ismāʿīl b. Muḥammad al-Ṣaffār > Aḥmad b. Manṣūr > ʿAbd al-Razzāq > Maʿmar Fīmā Aẓun > al-Zuhrī > Ḥabīb a freed slave of ʿUrwah b. al-Zubayr > ʿUrwah b. al-Zubayr > Abū Murāwiḥ > Abū Dhar

[Machine] A man came to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and asked him, "O Messenger of Allah, which deeds are the best?" The Prophet replied, "Believing in Allah and striving in His cause." The man then asked, "Which form of charity is the best?" The Prophet replied, "To give of one's self." The man asked further, "What if I am unable?" The Prophet replied, "Then you should assist the laborer and engage in good deeds." The man asked again, "What if I am not capable?" The Prophet replied, "Then you should refrain from harming others, for that would be a charity by which you benefit yourself."  

البيهقي:١١٤٣٩أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو الْحُسَيْنِ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بِشْرَانَ أنبأ إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الصَّفَّارُ ثنا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ ثنا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ أنبأ مَعْمَرٌ فِيمَا أَظُنُّ عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنْ حَبِيبٍ مَوْلَى عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍ عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أِيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ إِيمَانٌ بِاللهِ وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ قَالَ فَأِيُّ الْعَتَاقَةِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ أَنْفَسُهَا قَالَ أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ أَجِدْ؟ قَالَ فَتُعِينُ الصَّانِعَ وَتَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ قَالَ أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ؟ قَالَ تَدَعُ النَّاسَ مِنْ شَرِّكَ؛ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ  

رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ فِي الصَّحِيحِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ رَافِعٍ وَعَبْدِ بْنِ حُمَيْدٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّزَّاقِ وَأَخَرْجَاهُ مِنْ حَدِيثِ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ
bayhaqi:19081Abū Muḥammad ʿAbdullāh b. Yūsuf al-Aṣbahānī > Abū Bakr Muḥammad b. al-Ḥasan b. al-Ḥusayn al-Qaṭṭān > ʿAlī b. al-Ḥasan b. Abū ʿĪsá > ʿUbaydullāh b. Mūsá > Hishām b. ʿUrwah from his father > Abū Murāwiḥ al-Ghifārī > Abū Dhar

I asked the Prophet, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in Allah and to fight for His Cause." I then asked, "What is the best kind of manumission (of slaves)?" He replied, "The manumission of the most expensive slave and the most beloved by his master." I said, "If I cannot afford to do that?" He said, "Help the weak or do good for a person who cannot work for himself." I said, "If I cannot do that?" He said, "Refrain from harming others for this will be regarded as a charitable deed for your own good." (Using translation from Bukhārī 2518)   

البيهقي:١٩٠٨١أَخْبَرَنَاهُ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ الْأَصْبَهَانِيُّ أنبأ أَبُو بَكْرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ الْقَطَّانُ ثنا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ أَبِي عِيسَى ثنا عُبَيْدُ اللهِ بْنُ مُوسَى ثنا هِشَامُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍ الْغِفَارِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ ؓ قَالَ

سَأَلْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ أِيُّ الْعَمَلِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ إِيمَانٌ بِاللهِ وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِهِ قُلْتُ أِيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ أَغْلَاهَا ثَمَنًا وَأَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ؟ قَالَ تُعِينُ صَانِعًا أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ؟ قَالَ تَدَعُ النَّاسَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَّدَّقُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ  

رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ فِي الصَّحِيحِ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مُوسَى وَأَخْرَجَهُ مُسْلِمٌ مِنْ وَجْهٍ آخَرَ عَنْ هِشَامٍ
bayhaqi:21314Abū Muḥammad ʿAbdullāh b. Yūsuf al-Aṣbahānī > Abū Muḥammad al-Ḥasan b. ʿImrān al-Qāḍī al-Harawī > Abū Ḥātim ʿAbd al-Jalīl b. ʿAbd al-Raḥman > ʿUbaydullāh b. Mūsá > Hishām b. ʿUrwah from his father > Abū Murāwiḥ al-Ghifārī > Abū Dhar

I asked the Prophet, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in Allah and to fight for His Cause." I then asked, "What is the best kind of manumission (of slaves)?" He replied, "The manumission of the most expensive slave and the most beloved by his master." I said, "If I cannot afford to do that?" He said, "Help the weak or do good for a person who cannot work for himself." I said, "If I cannot do that?" He said, "Refrain from harming others for this will be regarded as a charitable deed for your own good." (Using translation from Bukhārī 2518)   

البيهقي:٢١٣١٤أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدُ اللهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ الْأَصْبَهَانِيُّ أنبأ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عِمْرَانَ الْقَاضِي الْهَرَوِيُّ ثنا أَبُو حَاتِمٍ عَبْدُ الْجَلِيلِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ ثنا عُبَيْدُ اللهِ بْنُ مُوسَى أنبأ هِشَامُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍ الْغِفَارِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ

سَأَلْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ أِيُّ الْعَمَلِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ إِيمَانٌ بِاللهِ وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ قُلْتُ أِيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ أَغْلَاهَا ثَمَنًا وَأَنْفَسُهَا عِندَ أَهْلِهَا قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ؟ قَالَ تُعِينُ صَانِعًا أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لِأَخْرَقَ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ؟ قَالَ تَدَعُ النَّاسَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ  

رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ فِي الصَّحِيحِ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مُوسَى
suyuti:3829a

I asked the Prophet, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in Allah and to fight for His Cause." I then asked, "What is the best kind of manumission (of slaves)?" He replied, "The manumission of the most expensive slave and the most beloved by his master." I said, "If I cannot afford to do that?" He said, "Help the weak or do good for a person who cannot work for himself." I said, "If I cannot do that?" He said, "Refrain from harming others for this will be regarded as a charitable deed for your own good." (Using translation from Bukhārī 2518)   

السيوطي:٣٨٢٩a

"أفْضَلُ الْعَمَل: إيمانٌ بالله وجهادٌ في سبيلِ الله، قيل: فأيُّ الرقاب أفْضَلُ؟ قال: أنفَسُهَا عنْدَ أَهْلِها، وأغلاها ثمنًا، قيل: فإِنْ لم أَجِدْ؟ قال: تُعينُ صانِعًا، أو تَصْنَعُ لأخْرَقَ قال: فإِن لم أَستطع؟ قال: كُفَّ أذَاكَ عن الناسِ؛ فإِنَّها صدقةٌ تَصَدَّقُ بها على نَفْسِكَ".  

[حم] أحمد [خ] البخاري [م] مسلم [ن] النسائي [حب] ابن حبّان عن أبي ذرٍّ