The deed most beloved to Allah

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud

I asked the Prophet ﷺ: "Which deed is most beloved to Allah?" He said: "The prayer offered at its proper time." I asked: "Then what?" He said: "Kindness to parents." I asked: "Then what?" He said: "Striving in the way of Allah."

Sahih al-Bukhari 527, Sahih Muslim 85

What this hadith teaches

Praying on time is put even before kindness to parents. Delaying a prayer until its time is nearly over, without a reason, misses this great virtue.

Reference and grade

Found in

• Sahih al-Bukhari 527
• Sahih Muslim 85

Grade

Sahih: agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim

Narrator

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud

Chapter

Why prayer matters