A man asked, "Messenger of Allah, which deed is best?"He replied, "Faith in Allah and struggle in His path."The man asked, "Which slave is best to free?"He answered, "The one most valuable in price and most prized by his owners."The man said, "What if I cannot do that?"He replied, "Then help a craftsman or work for someone unskilled."The man asked, "What if I am unable to do even that?"He said, "Then restrain yourself from harming others, for that is a charity you give to your own soul."
حدثنا يحيى بن سعيد حدثنا هشام حدثني أبي أن أبا مراوح الغفاري أخبره أن
يا رسول الله أي العمل أفضل قال إيمان بالله وجهاد في سبيله قال فأي الرقاب أفضل قال أغلاها ثمنا وأنفسها عند أهلها قال أفرأيت إن لم أفعل قال تعين صانعا أو تصنع لأخرق قال أرأيت إن ضعفت قال تمسك عن الشر فإنه صدقة تصدق بها على نفسك
Its isnad is sahih. There is disagreement about whether Abu Marawih Ghifari was a companion, and those who did not establish this status for him said that he is among the trustworthy successors. His hadith appears in Sahihayn. The hadith has already appeared at 21341 and 21228.