Mishkat al-Masabih 1923

Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘When Allah created the earth, it began to sway, so He created the mountains and set them upon it, and it became steady. The angels wondered at the mountains’ great strength and said, “Our Lord, is anything among Your creation stronger than the mountains?” He said, “Yes, iron.” They said, “Our Lord, is anything among Your creation stronger than iron?” He said, “Yes, fire.” They said, “Our Lord, is anything among Your creation stronger than fire?” He said, “Yes, water.” They said, “Our Lord, is anything among Your creation stronger than water?” He said, “Yes, wind.” They said, “Our Lord, is anything among Your creation stronger than wind?” He said, “Yes: the son of Adam who gives charity with his right hand, concealing it from his left.’ Al-Tirmidhi transmitted it and said: ‘This is a gharīb hadith.’ The hadith of Mu‘adh, ‘Charity extinguishes sin,’ was mentioned in the Book of Faith.