(5) CHAPTER. Superiority of offering As-Salat (the prayer) at the stated times.
Narrated `Abdullah: I asked the Prophet Which deed is the dearest to Allah? He replied, To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times. I asked, What is the next (in goodness)? He replied, To be good and dutiful to your parents I again asked, What is the next (in goodness)? He replied, 'To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah's cause. `Abdullah added, I asked only that much and if I had asked more, the Prophet would have told me more.