the less meritorious act, in the circumstances for which it is prescribed, is better than an act that is superior in general. Thus, glorifying Allah while bowing and prostrating is better than reciting the Quran, declaring His oneness or proclaiming His greatness. Likewise, reciting the testimony of faith at the end of prayer and supplicating thereafter are better than reciting the Quran. This is comparable to the Prophet’s saying, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“The people should be led in prayer by the one most proficient in reciting the Book of Allah. If they are equal in recitation, then by the one most knowledgeable about the Sunnah. If they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then by the one who emigrated earliest. If they are equal in emigration, then by the oldest in age—or the earliest to embrace Islam.”

He then followed this with:

“No one should lead another man in prayer within the latter’s sphere of authority, nor sit in his place of honour, without his permission.”

He thus set out the order of precedence for leading prayer, then explained that those whose office gives them authority, such as regular prayer leaders—military commanders in earlier times, mosque imams and the like—take precedence over others, even if those others are superior to them. Similarly, gold is superior to iron and lime, yet these minerals may take precedence over gold when they, rather than gold, are needed. This is clear.

Likewise, most people are incapable of performing the best deeds. Were they instructed to perform them, they would do so in a manner from which they derived no benefit, or only a lesser benefit. For each such person, a deed that suits him and benefits him is therefore better than one that does not. Hence, for many people, remembering Allah is better than reciting the Quran, because remembrance nurtures faith in a person, while the Quran imparts knowledge, and knowledge comes after faith.

Allah Most High says:

“Allah will raise those of you who believe and those who have been given