Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu’l-Ja’d that he says Hazrat Abu’d-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) sent a messenger to Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him). The messenger came and said to Hazrat Abu Dharr, “Your brother Hazrat Abu’d-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) sends you greetings of peace and says to you: Fear Allah and remain hidden from people.” Upon this, Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “What do I have to do with people? I have left their silver and gold for them.” Then he said to the messenger, “Come towards the house.” He walked along with him. When he entered Hazrat Abu Dharr’s house, there was a little food scattered in a cloak. The narrator says Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) began to gather it and collect it in the cloak. Then he said: “Indeed, part of a man’s understanding of religion is to deal gently with his livelihood.” Then a little food was brought and placed before them. He said to me, “Eat.” The man disliked putting his hand in that food because it seemed little. Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the man, “Put your hand (in it), by Allah! We are not as afraid of the scarcity of food as we are of its abundance.” Upon this, the man ate the food, then returned to Hazrat Abu’d-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) and described the whole situation to him. Hazrat Abu’d-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “O Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him), no tree has ever shaded, nor any land given shelter, to a man more truthful than you.”