36 – Qadi Abu al-Qasim informed us; Abu ‘Ali narrated to us; ‘Abd Allah narrated to us; ‘Ali ibn al-Jaʿd narrated to us; Muhammad ibn Yazid narrated to me, from Bakr ibn Khunays, from ‘Abd Allah ibn Dinar, from one of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, who said:

It was asked, “Messenger of Allah, which people are dearest to Allah?” He replied, “Those who are most beneficial to others. And the deeds most beloved to Allah are these: the joy you cause a believer—by removing a hardship from him, settling a debt for him, or driving away his hunger. To walk with my Muslim brother in pursuit of his need is dearer to me than to observe a spiritual retreat (iʿtikāf) for two months in a mosque. Whoever restrains his anger, Allah will veil his faults; whoever suppresses his rage, though able to unleash it, Allah will fill his heart with contentment; and whoever walks with his Muslim brother to see a need through until it is fulfilled, Allah will steady his feet on the Day when feet will slip. Indeed, bad character ruins deeds just as vinegar spoils honey.”