Chapter on the Manner of Prayer, Explanation of the Fifty-One Rak‘ahs; The Order, Recitation, Tasbih in Bowing and Prostration, Qunut, and What is Obligatory and Recommended Therein

And from him, from Hammad ibn ‘Isa, from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: “Two men began the prayer at the same time. One of them recited the Qur’an, and his recitation was more than his supplication. The other supplicated more, and his supplication was more than his recitation. Then they both concluded (their prayers) at the same time. Which of them is superior?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Each has merit. Each is good.” I asked: “I know that each is good and that each has merit, but..” Imam عليه السلام said: “Supplication is superior. Have you not heard the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Exalted: ‘And your Lord said: Call upon Me, I will respond to you. Surely those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell in humiliation’? (Surah Ghafir 40:60). By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, it is worship! By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, it is superior! By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, it is superior! Is it not worship? By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, it is worship! By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, it is worship! Is it not the most intense of them? By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, it is the most intense of them. By Allah سبحانه وتعالى, it is the most intense of them.”