It is narrated from Sayyiduna Hanzalah Katib (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever carefully observes the bowing, prostration, and timings of the five prayers, and knows that these are truly from Allah Almighty, will enter Paradise. In one narration it is stated: Paradise will become obligatory for him. And in another narration it is stated: He considers these prayers as the right of Allah Almighty, so he will become forbidden for the Fire.

A companion of the Messenger narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked which deed is the best. He, peace and blessings be upon him, replied: Performing prayer at its appointed time, being good to parents, and striving (jihad) are the best deeds.

Sayyida Umm Farwah (may Allah be pleased with her), who had pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), says that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about the most virtuous deed. He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: To perform the prayer at its earliest time.

. (Second chain) A similar narration has been reported.

(Third chain) Sayyida Umm Farwah (may Allah be pleased with her), who was among those who pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), says that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), while mentioning deeds, said: Indeed, the most beloved deed to Allah Almighty is that the prayer be performed promptly at its earliest time.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked: Which prayer is the most virtuous? He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: Prolonged standing in prayer.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him), he says: I prayed with the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) one night, and he stood in prayer for so long that I intended to do something bad. We asked: What bad thing did you intend? He said: I intended to sit down and leave the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) standing.

Mukhariq says: We set out to perform Hajj, and when we reached the place of Rabdha, I said to my companions: You go ahead, I stayed behind myself. Then I went to Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him), while he was performing prayer, and I saw that he would stand for long periods and perform many bowings and prostrations. When I mentioned this to him, he said: I have not fallen short in perfecting my deeds. I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: Whoever bows or prostrates, one rank will be raised for him and one sin will be erased.

(Second chain) Mutarrif says: I was sitting with some Qurayshi individuals when a man came and began to pray, performing bowing and prostration, then prayed again, performing bowing and prostration, and did not sit. I said: By Allah! I think this servant does not even know whether he has prayed an even or odd number of rak‘ahs. The people said: Why don’t you go to him and tell him? So I said: O servant of Allah! I think you do not even know whether you have prayed an even or odd number of rak‘ahs. He said: But Allah Almighty knows; I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say: Whoever prostrates to Allah Almighty, Allah will write for him a good deed through it, erase a bad deed, and raise him one degree. I said: Who are you? He said: I am Abu Dharr. Hearing this, I returned to my companions and said: May Allah give you a bad reward on behalf of those who sit, you instructed me to teach one of the companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.

(Third chain) Ahnaf bin Qais says: I entered Bayt al-Maqdis and found a man performing many prostrations, and I began to feel something because of his actions. When he finished, I said to him: Do you know whether you are ending your prayer on an even or odd number of rak‘ahs? He said: If I do not know, Allah surely knows. Then he said: My beloved Abu al-Qasim (peace and blessings be upon him) informed me, and then he began to weep. He said again: My beloved Abu al-Qasim (peace and blessings be upon him) informed me, and then he began to weep again. Then he said: My beloved Abu al-Qasim (peace and blessings be upon him) informed me that there is no servant who prostrates to Allah except that Allah raises him one degree, forgives him one sin, and writes for him one good deed. I said to him: May Allah have mercy on you, tell me who you are. He said: I am the Companion of the Messenger, Abu Dharr. Upon hearing this, my heart shrank (meaning I felt great embarrassment).