Qaqa’ bin Hakim says that once Abdul Aziz bin Marwan wrote a letter to Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) saying, “Present your needs before me (so that I may order them to be fulfilled).” Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) replied to this letter, writing: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say: ‘The upper hand is better than the lower hand, and begin (giving) with those whose maintenance is your responsibility.’ I do not ask you for anything, nor will I reject the sustenance that Allah grants me from your side.”
Hadith Referenceمسند احمد / مسند المكثرين من الصحابة / 4474
Hadith Gradingحکم دارالسلام:حديث صحيح، و هذاإسناد حسن من أجل ابن عجلان