It is narrated from Sayyiduna Amr bin al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent for me. I came to him, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered me to put on my clothes and weapons and then come to him. I did so, and when I came to him he (peace and blessings be upon him) was performing ablution. He (peace and blessings be upon him) looked me over from head to foot, then lowered his gaze, then said: "O Amr! I want to send you (as commander) over an army, so that Allah may grant you spoils and keep you safe, and I will give you a fine portion of wealth." I said: "O Messenger of Allah! I did not accept Islam out of desire for wealth; rather, I accepted Islam out of desire for Islam and to be in the company of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)." So he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Amr! How excellent is pure wealth for a righteous man!" This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of Imam Muslim, but the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it. Regarding the permissibility of seeking wealth, they recorded only this hadith of Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri: "Whoever takes it rightfully, it is the best of helpers."