Abu Bakr bin Ishaq informed us of it; he said: Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Hanbal narrated to us; he said: Zuhayr bin Harb narrated to us, and Jarir conveyed this narration to him. As for the hadith of Abd al-Aziz bin Muslim, (its chain) is as follows:

Muhammad bin Salih bin Hani narrated this hadith to us; he said: al-Sari bin Khuzaymah narrated to us; Mu'alla bin Asad conveyed it to him, and Abd al-Aziz bin Muslim conveyed this narration to him. All these chains, whose authenticity is agreed upon, cannot be declared defective (weak) on account of the narration of Muhammad bin Abi Ubaydah bin Ma'n through his father from al-A'mash, Ibrahim al-Taymi and Mujahid; and with al-A'mash there is another chain on this matter which is sahih on the condition of the two Shaykhs:

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever asks you by Allah, give to him; whoever seeks refuge in the name of Allah, give him refuge; and whoever invites you, accept his invitation." This chain is sahih (authentic). Both of these chains are established as sahih from Imam al-A'mash on the condition of the two Shaykhs, and our principle is that we accept additions made by trustworthy narrators in chains and texts.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) that we were present with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) when suddenly a man came with something like an egg of gold and said: "O Messenger of Allah! I found this in a mine; please accept it, it is charity, and I have no wealth other than it." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) turned away from him. Then he came from his (peace and blessings be upon him) right side and said the same thing, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) turned away again. Then he came from the left side, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) turned his face away again. Then he came from behind, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) took that (gold) from him and tossed it at him (in such a way) that had it struck him, it would have hurt him or wounded him. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "One of you brings all his wealth and says: This is charity, then he sits (having become needy himself) and stretches out his hand to people. The best charity is that which is given out of sufficiency, after one's own needs have been met." This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of Imam Muslim, but the two Shaykhs did not record it.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) that a man entered the mosque, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) (seeing his wretched state) ordered (the Companions) to put down clothes for him. So the people put down clothes, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered that two garments from among them be given to him. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) urged people to give charity, and that man presented those same two garments (as charity). At this he (peace and blessings be upon him) called out to him and said: "Take back your two garments." This hadith is sahih on the condition of Imam Muslim, but the two Shaykhs did not record it.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "O Messenger of Allah! Which charity is the most excellent?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The hard-earned effort of one who has little (given in charity), and begin with those whose upkeep is your responsibility." This hadith is sahih on the condition of Imam Muslim, but the two Shaykhs did not record it.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: One day the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered us to give charity, and at that time I happened to have some wealth. I said (to myself): If I am ever to outdo Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), today I will get ahead of him. So I came with half of my wealth, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: "What have you left for your family?" I said: "The same amount (that is, half of my wealth)." And Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) came with all his wealth, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: "O Abu Bakr! What have you left for your family?" He said: "I have left Allah and His Messenger for them." Then I said (to myself): I can never beat you in anything. This hadith is sahih on the condition of Imam Muslim, but the two Shaykhs did not record it.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Sa'd bin Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "Which charity is most beloved to you?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Giving water to drink."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with him) that he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "Which charity is most beloved to you?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Water." This hadith is sahih on the condition of the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim), but they did not record it.

It is narrated from the Mother of the Believers, Sayyidah Maymunah (may Allah be pleased with her), that she said: I had a slave girl whom I set free. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) came to me, and I told him (peace and blessings be upon him) about it. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "May Allah reward you for it; but had you given that slave girl to your maternal relatives (your maternal uncles and others), it would have been greater in terms of your reward." This hadith is sahih on the condition of Imam Muslim, but the two Shaykhs did not record it.