رِيَاضُ الصَّالِحِينَ
Riyad as-Salihin 1359
The Book of Jihad
The Merit of Emancipation of Slaves
وَعَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أي الأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ: "الإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ، وَالْجِهَادُ فِي سبيل اللَّه" قُلْتُ: أي الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ: "أَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا وَأَكْثَرُهَا ثَمَنًا” ((مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ))
Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), "Which deed is most excellent?" He replied, "Faith in Allah and Jihad in His path." I then asked, "Which slaves are most excellent (to set free)?" He replied, "Those who are held in high esteem by their people and whose value is higher." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
Riyad as-Salihin, 1359