1؎ : This hadith indicates that prolonging the standing (qiyam) is superior to increasing the number of bowings (ruku) and prostrations (sujud). A group of scholars, among whom is Imam Shafi‘i, have adopted this view, and this is the correct position. The hadiths that mention the virtue of ruku and sujud do not contradict this, because the virtue of these two does not necessitate their superiority over prolonging the standing. It should be noted that this pertains to voluntary (nafl) prayers, because, firstly, the units (rak‘ahs) of obligatory (fard) prayers are fixed, and secondly, the imam has been instructed to lead a light (not lengthy) prayer.
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Dr. Abdur Rahman Freywai
1: This hadith indicates that prolonging the standing (qiyam) is superior to increasing the number of bowings (ruku) and prostrations (sujud). A group of scholars, among whom is Imam Shafi'i, have also adopted this view, and this is the correct position. The hadiths that mention the virtue of ruku and sujud are not contrary to this, because the virtue of these two does not necessitate their superiority over prolonging the standing. It should be noted that this pertains to voluntary (nafl) prayers, because, firstly, the units (rak‘ahs) of obligatory (fard) prayers are fixed, and secondly, the imam has been instructed to lead a light (not lengthy) prayer.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi – Majlis ‘Ilmi Dar al-Da‘wah, New Delhi Edition, Page: 387
Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates this statement of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "The best prayer is that in which the standing (qiyam) is long, and the best jihad is that in which blood is shed and the horse's legs are cut, and the best charity is that which a poor person gives through effort. (The narrator is in doubt, perhaps these are the words:) that when charity is given, then after that the person remains well-off."
Shaykh Muhammad Ibrahim bin Basheer
Benefit: In this hadith, the virtue of lengthy recitation and martyrdom is mentioned, and also the charity that a poor person earns through hard labor, and from that meager compensation, whatever he gives in the way of Allah, Allah Ta’ala will make that handful of charity into the mountain of Uhud on the Day of Judgment. And the charity of a wealthy person, even if it amounts to millions of rupees but is given with an incorrect intention, will be surpassed by the charity of the poor person. Whatever is available, even if it is just a piece of a date, one should give it in charity.
Source: Musnad al-Humaydi: Commentary by Muhammad Ibrahim bin Bashir, Page: 1311