Shaykh al-Islām Abū al-‘Abbās Ibn Taymiyyah—may Allah sanctify his soul—used to say:

“The correct understanding of the verse is that prayer serves two great purposes, one greater than the other. It restrains one from indecency and wrongdoing, and it includes remembrance of Allah Most High. Indeed, the remembrance of Allah Most High within it is greater than its restraint of indecency and wrongdoing.”

Ibn Abī al-Dunyā related that Ibn ‘Abbās was asked, “Which deed is best?” He replied, “The remembrance of Allah is greater.”