English
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: I asked the Prophet (ﷺ): “Which deed is best?” He said: “Faith in Allah and striving in His way.” I said: “Which slaves are best?” He said: “The most valuable in price and the most precious to their owners.” I said: “If I cannot do that?” He said: “Help a worker or do something for the incapable.” I said: “If I cannot do that?” He said: “Leave people from harm, for it is a charity you give to yourself.”
Possible references (unverified, pending editorial review)
- Candidate: Sahih al-Bukhari 2518 (unverified) 99% confidence
- Candidate: Sahih Muslim 84a (unverified) 98% confidence
Confidence and text similarity are not editorial verification.
Commentary and footnotes (1)
Note 1
(1) The statement: “Which slaves are best?” He said: “The most valuable in price and the most precious to their owners”: It is stated in Al-Mabsut: These narrations clarify that emancipation is an act of righteousness and kindness, and the best slaves are those most valued by their owners. As for what is narrated from Malik, that if a non-Muslim slave is more valuable than a Muslim slave, his emancipation is better than that of a Muslim due to the saying, “The best are the most valuable,” this is far from correct and must be restricted to the most valuable among Muslims. This is because it enables the Muslim to achieve his objectives and frees him. The apparent reason for preferring the emancipation of a non-Muslim is to collect jizyah from him for the Muslims, and as for freeing him for contemplation, it is conceded as a possibility. Thus, it is stated in Al-Mirqat.