(36) باب بَيَانِ كَوْنِ الإِيمَانِ بِاللَّهِ تَعَالَى أَفْضَلَ الأَعْمَالِ
Abu Dharr reported:
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.
Reference: Sahih Muslim 84 a
In-book reference: Book 1, Hadith 156
USC-MSA web (English) reference(deprecated numbering scheme): Book 1, Hadith 149