during circumambulation are prescribed by consensus, whereas there is a well-known disagreement concerning reciting the Quran during circumambulation.

At other times, it varies according to place. At Arafat and Muzdalifah, at the stoning sites, and at Safa and Marwah, what is prescribed is remembrance and supplication rather than prayer and similar acts. Circumambulating the House is better than prayer for a visitor to Mecca, whereas prayer is better for those residing there.

At other times, it varies according to the rank of the category of worship. Jihad is better than Hajj for men, while Hajj is the jihad of women. A married woman’s obedience to her husband is better than her obedience to her parents. By contrast, a woman without a husband is commanded to obey her parents.

At other times, it varies according to the servant’s ability or inability. The acts of worship he is able to perform are better for him than those he is unable to perform, even if the category of worship he cannot perform is superior. This is a broad subject in which many people go to excess and follow their own desires.

Some people believe that if a particular deed is better for them because it suits them, benefits their hearts more, and better enables them to obey their Lord, they should deem it better for everyone and command others to do likewise.

Yet Allah sent Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—with the Book and wisdom, and made him a mercy and a guide for His servants, commanding each person to do what is most beneficial for him. A Muslim must therefore be a sincere adviser to other Muslims, seeking for each person what is most beneficial for him.

This makes it clear to you that some people are best served by devoting their voluntary efforts to the pursuit of knowledge, others by devoting them to jihad, and still others by devoting them