Majma al-Zawaid — Hadith 3744

Muslim, the freed slave of Zubayr, narrates: I came to Abdullah bin Iyas bin Abi Fatimah al-Damri, and he narrated this hadith to me from his father, from his grandfather. He (that is, his grandfather) said: "I was sitting with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He turned towards us and asked: 'Who would like to remain healthy and never fall ill?' We hastened and said: 'O Messenger of Allah! We would like that.' We sensed displeasure on the face of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He said: 'Would you like to be like stray donkeys?' The people said: 'No, O Messenger of Allah!' The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Would you not like to be such that your sins are expiated? By the One in whose hand is the soul of Abu al-Qasim, Allah Almighty puts the believer to trial, and He puts him to that trial so that He may honour him. Allah Almighty wishes to place him at a particular station which that person cannot reach through any of his deeds, so Allah Almighty puts that person to trial, and that trial brings that person to that rank.'"
Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Kabir. Its chain contains Muhammad bin Abi Humayd, who is da'if (weak); however, Ibn Adi said: Despite his weakness, his hadith is to be written down.