Majma al-Zawaid — Hadith 124

Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates this saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Allah Almighty sent Sayyiduna Yahya bin Zakariyya (peace be upon them both) to the Children of Israel with five words. When Allah Almighty sent Sayyiduna Isa (peace be upon him), Allah Almighty said: O Isa! Tell Yahya bin Zakariyya: Either you convey to the Children of Israel that with which I sent you, or I will convey it to them. So Sayyiduna Yahya (peace be upon him) set out, came to the Children of Israel and said: 'Indeed, Allah Almighty commands you to worship Him and not to associate anyone with Him as a partner. The example of this is like a man who frees a slave, treats him well and gives him wealth and the like; then the slave goes off, denies that man's favour and attaches himself to someone other than him. Allah Almighty also commands you to establish prayer. The example of this is like a man whom the enemy captures and intends to kill; that man says: Do not kill me, I have a treasure, and I will ransom myself. So he gives them his treasure and saves himself. Allah Almighty has also commanded you to give charity. The example of this is like a man who goes towards the enemy carrying a shield for battle; he does not care from which side he will be attacked. Allah Almighty commands you to recite the Book. The example of this is like people who are in their fortress; their enemy advances towards them, and they have kept men ready on every side of the fortress, so from whichever side of the fortress the enemy comes, there are men in front of him who stop him from reaching the fortress. This is the example of the one who recites the Qur'an: he is in the strongest of fortresses.'"
The narrator states: I did not find the fifth thing mentioned in my written copy.
Imam al-Bazzar recorded it, and its narrators have been declared trustworthy, except for Imam al-Bazzar's teacher, al-Hasan bin Muhammad bin Abbad; (Allamah al-Haythami says:) I do not know him.