Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 223 — The great standing of prayer

It is narrated from Sayyidah Umm Anas (may Allah be pleased with her) that she saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and said to him: "Ja'alaka Allahu fi al-rafiq al-a'la min al-jannah wa ana ma'ak (May Allah Almighty grant you a place in the highest station of Paradise, al-Rafiq al-A'la, and grant me your company too (in Paradise))." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said (to her supplication): "Amin." Then she requested: O Messenger of Allah, teach me a righteous deed that I may do. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Establish the prayer, for it is the best jihad; abandon sins completely, for that is the best hijrah (emigration); and remember Allah Almighty much, for the deed most beloved to Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is that you meet Him while doing this deed (that is, remembering Allah)."
Imam al-Tabarani narrated this hadith in al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, as did other imams. Although there is criticism of the memory of some narrators in its chain, the virtue of the deeds mentioned in it is established by other sahih hadith.