Explaining the Preference Among Good Deeds

The questioner:
The needs of the destitute and relieving distress. So, regarding those in distress, is this an example? The issue is one of weighing and preferring, otherwise they are all good deeds, but good deeds differ in rank and some are preferred. Yes, may Allah reward you with good and do you good. Many Muslims do not know the preference among deeds. Shaykh Salih, and consequently, you find a person desiring a specific deed that may be the lesser one, while the superior deed is absent from his mind. Is there a specific book that encourages this preference among deeds so that the Muslim can return to it? May Allah reward you with good?

The Shaykh:
There is no doubt that the books that clarify the virtues of deeds are numerous. Among them are books of hadith, such as *Al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib* by al-Hafiz al-Mundhiri, and *Riyad al-Salihin* by Imam al-Hafiz al-Nawawi, and other books of hadith. They clarify the virtues of deeds from the words of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Also, if a person reflects on the verses of the Qur'an, such as the verse we discussed, like those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah, this condition being in the cause of Allah, it is like a grain that sprouted seven ears, and in every ear a hundred grains. This is one grain that sprouted seven hundred grains. Then He said, "And Allah multiplies for whom He wills." So the multiplication may exceed seven hundred. This is according to the worker's sincerity and according to the status of the deed. So there is no doubt that a person reflects before he accepts...