Abū Dhar Ghafari relates that he asked the Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) which of the acts was excellent and of the right standard. The Blessed Messenger replied, “To believe in God and to exert in His path.” Abū Dhar again asked which kind of slaves it was better to free? The Blessed Messenger said, “Those whose price is high and who are good in their master’s eyes.” Abū Dhar asked if he was unable to do that, and the Blessed Messenger said, “Then help some worker or do the work of the man who himself is unable to do it properly.” Abū Dhar again asked if he was unable to do even that. The Blessed Messenger said, “Do not give trouble to anyone and that will be an act of charity which will be rewarded.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
This hadīth teaches us some of the excellent acts. Belief in God means to believe in Allah, His Messengers, His Books, Angels, and the Day of Judgement. Exerting in His path means to make tireless efforts to establish the Deen on earth and declare that the faith is dearer to a believer than his own life. In Arabia, slavery prevailed and Islam had on its programme abolition of slavery and deemed it as the greatest good. To help the needy in the community and to do the work of those who are unable to do it are also virtuous deeds. Even not giving trouble to anyone is an act of charity in the eyes of Islam.