I asked the Prophet ﷺ, "Which deed is best?"He answered, "Faith in Allah and struggle in His path."I asked, "Which slaves are best to free?"He replied, "Those most expensive in price and most prized by their owners."I said, "What if I cannot do that?"He said, "Then help a craftsman, or work for one who is unskilled."I said, "What if I cannot do that either?"He said, "Then spare people from your harm, for that is a charity you give to yourself."
سألت النبي ﷺ: أي العمل أفضل؟ قال: إيمان بالله، وجهاد في سبيله قلت: فأي الرقاب أفضل؟ قال: أغلاها ثمنا، وأنفسها عند أهلها. قلت: فإن لم أفعل؟ قال: تعين صانعا، أو تصنع الأخرق قال: فإن لم أفعل: تدع الناس من الشر، فإنها صدقة، تصدق بها على نفسك.
Bukhari reported it in the Book of Manumission (2518), and Muslim in the Book of Faith (84), both from the hadith of Hisham bin Urwa, from his father, from Abu Marawih, from Abu Dharr, and he narrated the hadith, and the wording given here is Bukhari's.In one wording reported by Muslim, "You restrain your evil from people, for that is an act of charity from you toward yourself."