This principle has a number of examples:

One is the case of a man who, when the time for prayer comes, needs to relieve himself or has food set before him. Which is preferable: that he relieve himself and eat his food, even if this causes him to delay the prayer beyond its earliest time, or the reverse?

The answer is the former. Here, priority is given to the act of worship itself rather than praying at the beginning of its time, because if he prays with a clear mind, fully attentive to his prayer, the prayer will be more complete.

Another example is that of a person who wishes to pray in the first row, but is surrounded by noise and distractions, or is beside a man whose offensive smell distracts him. Which is preferable: that he avoid the noise and offensive smell, even if this means giving up the first row, or that he stand in the first row despite the distractions or offensive smell?

The answer is that there is no doubt that it is preferable to avoid the distractions and leave the first row, because this pertains to the act of worship itself.

His statement, “He touches the Stone and the Yemeni Corner each time,” means that he touches them with his right hand on every circuit, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to touch them on every circuit of his circumambulation (1).

Issue: On the final circuit, does he touch them?

The answer is that he touches the Yemeni Corner, but does not touch the Black Stone.