from Him, His good pleasure, and gardens wherein they will enjoy lasting bliss, abiding therein forever; surely with Allah lies a magnificent reward."

It is authentically reported in Sahih Muslim and elsewhere from al-Nuʿmān ibn Bashīr (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

“I was sitting with the Prophet ﷺ when a man remarked, ‘I would not mind doing no other deed after becoming Muslim except supplying water to the pilgrims.’ Another said, ‘I would be content to do no other deed after becoming Muslim except maintaining the Sacred Mosque.’ ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib said, ‘Striving in the path of Allah is better than what the two of you have mentioned.’ ʿUmar then said, ‘Lower your voices beside the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. When the prayer is over, ask him.’ So they put the question to him, and Allah—exalted is He—revealed this verse.”

In the two Sahih collections it is narrated from ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said:

“I asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, which deed is most beloved to Allah the Almighty?’ He replied, ‘Prayer at its proper time.’ I asked, ‘Then what?’ He said, ‘Kindness to parents.’ I asked, ‘Then what?’ He said, ‘Striving in the path of Allah.’”

Ibn Masʿūd added, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ told me these three, and had I asked for more, he would surely have given me more.”