What is the correct view regarding the best of deeds?

Question:
How do we reconcile the hadith: ? with the hadith in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) preferred faith, then prayer, then jihad, then dutifulness to parents, and so on? Which of the deeds is the best?

Answer:
It appears that there is no contradiction, for this refers to voluntary acts, while that refers to obligatory acts. When he was asked: , and in the hadith of Abu Dharr when he was asked: , the wordings vary. There is no doubt that the best of them is faith in Allah and jihad in His cause. Among the aspects of faith are the five daily prayers, and likewise jihad is part of faith, falling under the statement: "Faith in Allah and jihad in His cause." Prayer is among the greatest characteristics of faith, and freeing slaves is also among the characteristics of faith, as is offering the greeting of peace and feeding people. Feeding people may be obligatory or recommended; it varies. It may be obligatory when there is a need, and it may be recommended. Initiating the greeting of peace is recommended, and some scholars said it is obligatory, while returning the greeting is obligatory. All of this is good; the important thing is that it falls under the category of diversifying deeds.