Is it possible to reconcile the two hadiths: "Shall I not inform you of the best of your deeds, the purest in the sight of your King..." and "The best of your deeds is prayer," by saying that "The best of your deeds is prayer" refers to the supererogatory prayers (Nawafil) established in the Sunnah, and that once a Muslim has completed them, the best of his deeds becomes remembrance of Allah (Dhikr) at all other times?

This mentioned reconciliation is incorrect, and there is no contradiction between prayer (Salah) and remembrance (Dhikr). Prayer inherently includes remembrance, as stated in His Almighty's saying: "And establish prayer for My remembrance." Prayer has also been interpreted as remembrance of Allah in other verses.

As for the preference of deeds, scholars have mentioned that the Prophet (peace be upon him) addressed people according to what suited them and their circumstances. The various Hadiths concerning the virtues of deeds are specific answers to specific questioners or to those in similar situations, or they relate to specific circumstances.

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim summarized the approaches of worshippers regarding the preference of deeds into four categories: those who believe the best deed is the most difficult one, those who believe the best is detachment and asceticism, those who believe the best is that which benefits others, and finally, those who believe the best is to work for the pleasure of the Lord at all times according to what that time and its function demand. This last category comprises the people of absolute devotion who follow Allah's pleasure in every state and at all times, moving between stations of servitude as the situation dictates.