Which was better: for a person to eat first and then pray Maghrib, or to pray Maghrib first and then eat, if the time for Ishā' prayer had not yet arrived?

The ruling on prioritizing food over prayer depends on the individual's situation. If one's soul craves food and they need it to the extent that if they were to pray first, their heart would remain attached to the food, then it is better to start with the food and then pray. However, if they do not crave it and thinking about it does not distract them from prayer, then it is better to begin with prayer.