Abu Hurairah (RA) is reported to have heard the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) as saying: It is better for one among you to bring a load of firewood on his back and give charity out of it (and satisfy his own need) and be independent of people, than that he should beg from people, whether they give him anything or refuse him. Verily the upper hand is better than the lower hand, and begin (charity) with your dependants.

Qais bin Abu Hizam reported: We came to Abu Hurairah (RA) and he told Allah's Messenger ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) having said this: By Allah, (it is better) that one among you should go and bring a load of firewood on his back and he should sell it, and the rest of the hadith was narrated (like the previous one).

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported Allah's Messenger ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) as saying: It is better for any one of you to tie a bundle of firewood and carry it on his back and sell it than to beg a person, he may give or may refuse.