Ma’dan bin Abi Talhah Ya’mari says: I met the freed slave of the Messenger, Sayyiduna Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him), and said: Tell me of an action which, if I perform it, Allah Almighty will admit me into Paradise, or he said: Inform me of the most beloved action to Allah Almighty. So he remained silent, (then I asked him, but he remained silent). Then when I asked for the third time, he said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) about this, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Be diligent in abundant prostration (sujood), for whenever you prostrate, Allah Almighty will raise you one degree and erase one of your sins. Ma’dan says: Then I met Sayyiduna Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) and asked him the same question, and he gave me the same answer that Sayyiduna Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) had given.