Shall I not tell you of something better in degree than fasting, prayer, and charity?

Abu ad-Dardā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"Shall I not tell you of something better in degree than fasting, prayer, and charity?" They said: Yes. He said: "Reconciling between people, for discord among them is the shaver."

«أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِأَفْضَلَ مِنْ دَرَجَةِ الصِّيَامِ وَالصَّلاَةِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ؟» قَالُوا: بَلَى، قَالَ: «صَلاَحُ ذَاتِ البَيْنِ، فَإِنَّ فَسَادَ ذَاتِ البَيْنِ هِيَ الحَالِقَةُ».

Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and At-Tirmidhi
Authentic
Explanation

The Prophet (ﷺ) asked his Companions: Shall I tell you of something that brings a greater reward than frequently performing voluntary fasting, prayer, and charity? They said: Yes. He said: It is reconciling between those in conflict, for disputes lead to division, estrangement, hatred, and turning away from one another. The enmity that results from discord is a trait that destroys and eradicates both religion and worldly life, just as a razor completely removes hair.

Benefits from the Hadith

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to ask his Companions questions and arouse their eagerness to know the answer.

At-Tībi said: This Hadīth encourages and urges reconciliation between people and the avoidance of causing discord, for reconciliation is a means of holding fast to the rope of Allah and preventing division among Muslims. Discord, on the other hand, is a breach in the religion; thus, whoever strives to mend it and remove its corruption attains a rank higher than that of one who fasts, prays, and is occupied only with his own personal worship.

References

Sunan Abi Dawood (7/ 280) (4919).

Sunan At-Tirmidhi (4/ 244) (2509).

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تحفة الأحوذي (7/ 179).

شرح سنن أبي داود للعباد (559/ 32).

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