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

عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِأَفْضَلَ مِنْ دَرَجَةِ الصِّيَامِ وَالصَّلاَةِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ؟» قَالُوا: بَلَى، قَالَ: «صَلاَحُ ذَاتِ البَيْنِ، فَإِنَّ فَسَادَ ذَاتِ البَيْنِ هِيَ الحَالِقَةُ».
[صحيح] - [رواه أبو داود والترمذي] - [سنن الترمذي: 2509]

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."
[Authentic hadith] - [Narrated by Abu Daoud & At-Termedhy] - [Sunan At-Termedhy - 2509]

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

1. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to ask his Companions questions and arouse their eagerness to know the answer.
2. 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.