This hadith is authentic and is related by Al-Bukhari. It is preceded by another hadith in which the Prophet said, “No Muslim plants a plant or sows a crop, then a person, or a bird, or an animal eats from it, except that it will be charity for him.” (Al-Bukhari)

Scholars explained the first hadith to mean that the Prophet warned Muslims against fully relying on agriculture which may affect their moving around seeking the pleasure of Allah in spreading the message of Islam or struggling against the disbelievers.

This is better understood in the context of the report of Ibn `Umar who narrated `Abdullah that he I heard the Messenger of Allah, (peace be upon him) say: When you enter into the inah transaction [a usurious type of sale], hold the tails of oxen, are pleased with agriculture, and give up conducting jihad (struggle in the way of Allah). Allah will make disgrace prevail over you, and will not withdraw it until you return to your original religion. Holding tails of oxen refers to tyrannical rulers who oppress their fellows and humiliate them.