thus, he can be used as evidence, and his ḥadīth is considered good at least in supporting evidence, and Allāh knows best. (Note): Ibn Abī Ḥakīm; this is how it appears in "al-Mustadrak" in this ḥadīth and another one after it! It appears in "al-Jarḥ" and "al-Thiqāt" as: (Ibn Abī Ḥakīmah), and perhaps this is correct. And Allāh knows best. *

(The best slaves to free are the most expensive (and in another narration: the most valuable) and the most cherished by their owners). It was narrated by al-Bukhārī (2518), Muslim (1/62), Abū ʿAwānah (1/62), Ibn Ḥibbān (1/183/152 and 7/58/4577), al-Nasāʾī in "al-Sunan al-Kubrā" (3/172/4894 and 4895), Ibn Mājah (2/19), and Aḥmad (5/150 and 171) all from the route of Hishām ibn ʿUrwah from his father from Abū Marwāḥ from Abū Dharr (raḍiya Allāhu ʿanhu) who said: I asked the Prophet (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam): Which deed is best? He said: "Faith in Allāh, and striving in His cause." I said: And which slaves are best to free? He said: "The most expensive and the most cherished by their owners." I said: If I do not do that? He said: "Help someone in need, or work for someone who is unable." He said: If I do not do that? He said: "Refrain from harming people; for it is a charity you give to yourself." Mālik disagreed in "al-Muwaṭṭaʾ" (3/7-8) and said: from Hishām ibn ʿUrwah from his father from ʿĀʾishah, the wife of the Prophet (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam):