Tirmidhi

Hadith Commentary:
1.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has declared these three actions to be the most virtuous deeds because these three acts serve as a prelude to other acts of obedience. This means that whoever fulfills them will also be at the forefront in fulfilling other deeds, and whoever neglects them will be even bolder in corrupting other matters. (Fath al-Bari: 7/6) In one hadith, (feeding food) is described as the best aspect of Islam. (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Iman, Hadith 12) Whereas in another hadith it is stated: "The best Islam is not to harm other Muslims with your hand and tongue." (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Iman, Hadith 11) There is no contradiction in such hadiths because the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would answer each person according to his condition, or would give an appropriate answer to address whatever deficiency he perceived in the questioner. And Allah knows best.

2.
The purpose of Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) in citing this hadith is to establish the virtue of jihad in the way of Allah, which is absolutely clear.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has declared prayer (salah) to be the most virtuous deed, and recitation (qira’ah) also takes place within the prayer. In fact, it should be called the greatest component of the prayer, and this recitation is itself an act of the prayer and is acquired (kasb). Whereas the Qur’an, which is recited, is the speech of Allah, which Allah sent down upon the blessed heart of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) through Jibril (alayhis salam).

➋
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has established from this that there is a clear distinction between recitation (tilawah/qira’ah) and that which is recited (matluww/maqru’).

And Allah knows best.

� Understanding the Hadith:
Regarding the aforementioned hadiths in which the question about the most virtuous deed was asked of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and you gave different answers, the scholars have reconciled them by stating that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam responded each time according to the need of the situation, and whichever deed was most needed at that time, he declared that to be the most virtuous. That is, if the need for jihad was greater, he declared it the most virtuous, and if the need for regular observance of prayer was greater, he declared that to be the most virtuous, and so on. «والله اعلم»

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
The noble Companions (Sahabah) of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to show him the utmost respect and reverence. In the mentioned hadith, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (radi Allahu anhu) refrained from asking further questions out of concern that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) might become weary, even though the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) were extremely eager to acquire knowledge. The conduct of the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) teaches us that when asking questions to a scholar of religion, one should be mindful that he does not become afflicted with weariness.
(2)
In some other hadiths, other deeds have been declared superior. In reality, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to answer each person according to his condition, psychology, capacity, and aptitude. Sometimes, due to the demands of circumstances, the answer would differ. For example: In the early days of Islam, there was a greater need for jihad, so in some hadiths it was declared the most virtuous deed. Multiple texts establish that prayer (salah) is superior to charity and almsgiving, but if a helpless and destitute person is afflicted with hunger, then at that time giving charity to him will be considered superior to prayer. (Fath al-Bari: 14/2)
(3)
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) sometimes, through his chapter headings (tarajim), does not derive a legal ruling from a hadith, but merely determines the meaning of the hadith. In this hadith, the words (as-salatu 'ala waqtihā) could give rise to the suspicion that prayer can be performed before its time. To remove this misconception, Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) established the chapter heading with these words: (Fadl as-salati li-waqtiha). This means that in the hadith, the word 'ala is being used in the sense of 'lam'.

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
:
Ir‘a’ (إِرْعَاء):
Consideration and regard,
to show gentleness and leniency towards someone, and to adopt concession.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) gave different answers to different people, taking into consideration the needs and circumstances of various times and places, as well as the temperaments and best interests of different individuals.
Therefore, there is no contradiction in these hadiths.
The details have already been mentioned previously.
(1/14)
In 166/42.

Explanation:
1:
From some hadiths, it is understood that jihad is the most virtuous and best deed;
from others, it is understood that treating one’s parents well is the best deed;
and from some, it is understood that zakat is the best deed;
whereas from this hadith, it is understood that prayer (salah) is the most virtuous deed.
Therefore, various explanations have been presented regarding this.
The best explanation is that before “the most virtuous deeds,” the particle “min” (from) is considered omitted,
as if the meaning is that these are among the most virtuous deeds.
Another explanation is that it is related to the condition of the questioner and the difference in time,
meaning that, considering the state of the questioner and the demands of the time, an appropriate answer was given.
And in their own place, all these are good deeds.

611. Commentary: The purpose of the chapter is that, in principle, every prayer should be performed at its prescribed time, except in Arafat and Muzdalifah, where combining prayers is a legal injunction. Likewise, during travel, combining two prayers is legislated. Even in travel, it is preferable to perform each prayer at its appointed time; combining prayers during travel is a concession (rukhsah), not the preferred (afdhal) option. Similarly, in residence (hadr), combining prayers due to some excuse is also a concession. In any case, every prayer should be performed at its prescribed time as much as possible. And Allah knows best.

Benefits and Issues:
➊ In this hadith, performing the prayer at its earliest time is described as superior to all other deeds, whereas in other ahadith, faith (iman), charity (sadaqah), and striving in Allah’s cause (jihad) are described as the best of deeds. All these ahadith are correct in their respective contexts.
➋ Their reconciliation and harmonization is as follows: Faith (iman) pertains to the heart and conscience, thus faith is the most superior among the actions of the heart; prayer (salah) pertains to bodily worship, so it is the most superior among physical acts; charity (sadaqah) pertains to wealth, so among financial acts, charity is the most superior; and jihad is the best and most superior act involving youth, strength, and health. In this way, there remains no contradiction among them.
➌ This hadith is general, but the ‘Isha prayer is excluded from it, because it is preferable to delay it. Similarly, the Zuhr prayer during intense heat is also an exception; in hot weather, it is also commanded to be performed with some delay.