Khalid ibn Khidash narrated to us, saying: ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Muhammad related to me, from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sulayman, that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab said:

“Who are the best of people?”

They replied, “Those who perform the prayer.”

He said, “A person who prays may be righteous or he may be corrupt.”

They said, “Those who strive in Allah’s cause.”

He replied, “A combatant may be righteous or he may be corrupt.”

They said, “Those who fast.”

He said, “A person who fasts may be righteous or he may be corrupt. But scrupulous piety in the religion of Allah is what perfects obedience to Allah.”