The Book of Zakah
23/85. Chapter:
To Refrain From Asking
Sunan an-Nasai
أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ شُعَيْبٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا مَعْنٌ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لأَنْ يَأْخُذَ أَحَدُكُمْ حَبْلَهُ فَيَحْتَطِبَ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ رَجُلاً أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ فَيَسْأَلَهُ أَعْطَاهُ أَوْ مَنَعَهُ " .
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah said: "By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if one of you were to take a rope and gather firewood on his back that would be better for him than coming to a man to whom Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has given of His bounty and asking him (for help). Which he may or may not give.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2589In-book reference : Book 23, Hadith 155English translation : Vol. 3, Book 23, Hadith 2590