Majma al-Zawaid — Hadith 6327

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked Sayyiduna Jibril (peace be upon him), "Which part of the earth is best?" He replied, "I do not know." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Ask your Lord about it." Sayyiduna Jibril wept and said, "O Sayyiduna Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), is it for us to ask Him? He is the One who tells us whatever He wills." Then he ascended towards the sky, then came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, "The best part of the earth is the houses of Allah on earth (i.e. the mosques)." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, "And which part of the earth is the worst?" He went again towards the sky, then returned and said, "The worst part of the earth is the markets."
Al-Tabarani recorded it in al-Mu'jam al-Awsat; its chain contains a narrator, Ubayd bin Waqid, and he is da'if (weak).