Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allaah was asked about the best of deeds. He observed: Belief in Allaah. He (the inquirer) said: What next? He (the Prophet) replied: Jihad (struggle to the utmost) in the cause of Allaah. He (the inquirer) again said: What next? He (the Prophet) replied: Pilgrimage accepted into the grace of the Lord. In the. tradition narrated on the authority of Muhammad b. Ja'far (the words are) that he (the Prophet) said: Belief in Allaah and His Messenger. Muhammad b. Rafi and 'Abd b. Humaid, 'Abdur-Razzaq and Ma'mar and Zuhri have narrated a hadith like this on the authority of the same chain of transmitters.
Abu Dharr reported: I said: Messenger of Allaah, which of the deeds is the best? He (the Prophet) replied: Belief in Allaah and Jihad in His cause. I again asked: Who is the slave whose emancipation is the best? He (the Prophet) replied: One who is valuable for his master and whose price is high. I said: If I can't afford to do it? He (the Prophet) replied: Help an artisan or make anything for the unskilled (labourer). I (Abu Dharr) said: Messenger of Allaah, you see that I am helpless in doing some of these deeds. He (the Prophet) replied: Desist from doing mischief to the people. That is the charity of your person on your behalf.
It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah b. Mas'ud that he observed. I asked the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) which deed was the best. He (the Prophet) replied: Prayer at its appointed hour. I (again) said: Then what? He (the Prophet) replied: Kindness to the parents. I (again) said: Then what? He replied: Earnest endeavour (Jihad) in the cause of Allaah. And I would have not ceased asking more questions but out of regard (for his feelings).
'Abdullah b. Mas'ud reported: I said: Messenger of Allaah, which of the deeds (takes one) nearer to Paradise? He (the Prophet) replied: Prayer at its proper time, I said: What next, Messenger of Allaah? He replied: Kindness to the parents. I said: What next? He replied: Jihad in the cause of Allaah.
It was heard from Abu 'Amr Shaibani that, pointing towards the house of Abdullah, he said: The owner of this house told me that he asked the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam): Which of the deeds are liked by Allaah? He (the Prophet) observed: Prayer at its proper time. I (again) said: What next? He replied: Then goodness to the parents. I (again) said: What then? He replied: Then Jihad in the cause of Allaah. He ('Abdullah) said: This is what I was told (by the Prophet). Had I questioned further, he would have made additions for me.
This hadith has been transmitted by Muhammad b. Bashshar, Muhammad b. Ja'far Shu'ba with this chain of narrators, with the addition that he pointed towards the house of 'Abdullah, but he did not mention his name for us.
It is reported on the authority of 'Abdullah that the Prophet of Allaah observed: The best of' the deeds or deed is the (observance of) prayer at its proper time and kindness to the parents.