As for the prophetic reports, they are exceedingly numerous and beyond enumeration, so we shall cite here only a selection of them:

117 – First report: Abū Dharr Jundub ibn Junādah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, which deeds are best?’ He replied, ‘Faith in Allah and striving in His cause.’ I asked, ‘Which slave is best to set free?’ He answered, ‘The one most precious to its owners and highest in price.’ I said, ‘What if I cannot do that?’ He said, ‘Help a craftsman, or perform a task for someone who is clumsy.’ I asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, suppose I am too weak to do some of that?’ He replied, ‘Then keep your harm from reaching people; that is a charity you give to yourself.’ ” Agreed upon.

The word ṣāniʿ (“craftsman”), with an un-dotted sād, is the most widely transmitted reading. Another narration has ḍāyiʿan, with a dotted ḍād, meaning a person suffering loss through poverty or dependants. The term al-akhraq refers to someone unskilled in what he attempts to do.

Explanation
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—includes in the chapter “Abundance of Good” the report he cites from Abū Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) that he asked the Prophet ﷺ, “Which deeds are best?” and the Prophet replied, “Faith in Allah and striving in His cause.” The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would ask the Prophet ﷺ about the most virtuous deeds so they could perform them; they were not like many who came after them, who may inquire about the best deeds yet do not act upon them. The Companions did act. Here, for example, is Ibn Masʿūd—may Allah be pleased with him—who asked the Prophet ﷺ: