Hadithcore
Riyad as-Salihin, 1074

Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "Which act is the best?" He (ﷺ) said, "As-Salat at their fixed times." I asked, "What next?" He (ﷺ) said, "Being dutiful to parents." I asked, "What next?" He (ﷺ) said, "Striving (Jihad) in the way of Allah." <b>[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]</b>.

وعن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ أي الأعمال أفضل‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏الصلاة على أوقتها‏"‏ قلت‏:‏ ثم أي‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏بر الوالدين‏"‏ قلت ثم أي‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ الجهاد في سبيل الله‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

References1 variant
In-Book Reference
Book 8, Hadith 84
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br> 1) It points out the preference of some acts of worship and piety over others. A wise person would perform the superior act of worship at its due time. When any act of worship is done in its proper time, it becomes better than others.<br> 2) It confirms the attribute of love for Allah Almighty, Who loves good deeds and their doers.<br> 3) Performing prayer at its recommended time is the better deed. Some prayers are better to be offered early within their appointed times, like the Fajr, ‘Asr, and Maghrib prayers. The opposite is true with other prayers, like the Zhuhr prayer, which ought to be delayed during severe heat, and the ‘Ishā’ prayer, which may sometimes be delayed, unless this proves difficult for people.
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